With election decision come challenges galore

Nepal’s No. 1 

English Daily 

www.thehimalayantimes.com 

Printed simultaneously from 

Kathmandu and Itahari 

Highest civilian honour for Suu Kyi in America Page 9 NRB asks traders to stop giving loans Page 11 Diva forever... Zeenat Aman Page 15 

The Himalayan 

T I M E S 

Vol. XI No.304 • Kathmandu, Friday, September 21, 2012, Ashwin 5, 2069, Nepal Sambat 1132 

• SHORT TAKES 

Nutrition plan launched 

KATHMANDU: The National Planning Commission 

on Thursday launched a five-year 

Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP 2013- 

2017 ) to reduce malnutrition among mothers 

and children. Speaking at the launch, 

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said fighting 

chronic malnutrition will help prepare a 

foundation for social and economic development 

to achieve the Millennium Development 

Goals. In Nepal, 41 per cent of children 

suffer from stunting or chronic malnutrition. 

Chronic malnutrition accounts for at least 

one-third of deaths among children below 

five years of age. It is estimated that ailments 

resulting from malnutrition can consume as 

much as 10 per cent of lifetime earnings 

among the affected. (Details on Page 6) 

CURRENCY UNIT BUYING (in Rs) SELLING (in Rs) 

Indian Rs 100 160.00 160.15 

Chinese Yuan 1 13.75 13.84 

US Dollar 1 86.65 87.25 

Euro 1 112.14 113.92 

Pound Sterling 1 140.25 141.22 

Japanese Yen 10 11.09 11.16 

The foreign exchange rates are fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank 

With election decision 

come challenges galore 

How easy is it for parties to tread the rocky road to polls? 

Himalayan News Service 

Kathmandu, September 20 

Parties may have jumped 

out of the frying pan, but 

have they saved themselves 

from getting into 

fire? 

They reached an understanding 

yesterday to give 

up the idea of reviving the 

Constituent Assembly and 

go for fresh CA elections, 

but the road to polls seems 

still bumpy. 

The first and foremost 

task the parties have ahead 

is amendment to the Interim 

Constitution, Article 63 

of which has envisioned 

election for CA only once, 

and it was held in 2008. 

Constitution amendment 

is not possible without 

parties reaching consensus 

and it has been an undertaking 

the parties have 

struggled the most to 

achieve — history has it. 

One option that could give 

a way out is invoking of Article 

158, which deals with 

removing constitutional 

difficulties by the President 

on the recommendation 

of the Cabinet. 

But experts on constitution 

and law have different 

opinions. 

“Invoking Article 158 is 

the best option to hold the 

elections,” says former attorney 

general Sushil Pant. 

“Exercising presidential 

power can only pave the 

way for holding fresh elections.” 

But immediately after 

yesterday’s understanding, 

former CA chairman 

Subas Nembang, who 

himself is an expert on law, 

had told THT that invoking 

Article 158 ‘could set a bad 

Amendment to the Interim Constitution is 

a must and it is not possible without parties 

reaching consensus, which has been an 

undertaking the parties have struggled 

the most to achieve 

precedent’ and that ‘there 

was no other option but to 

revive the CA, even for 

some time if the Interim 

Constitution were to be 

amended’. 

Former Supreme Court 

justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi 

says amendment to 

the Interim Constitution is 

a must to hold fresh elections 

but ‘it cannot be 

done by invoking Article 

158’. “This is an exclusive 

power designed in the 

constitution to implement 

the constitution in times of 

difficulties, but it cannot 

be ‘used’ to supersede the 

spirit of the constitution,” 

argues Rayamajhi. 

Experts do agree that 

fresh election is the only 

way out but caveat their 

arguments with some requirements 

that are a must 

for polls. “Amendment 

through Article 158 can be 

damage control to go for 

polls at this time,” says Bijaya 

Mishra, General Secretary 

of Nepal Bar Association. 

Apart from legal (and 

constitutional) hurdles, 

some more challenges — 

size of the new assembly 

and ways to carry over the 

achievements made so far 

in relation to secularism, 

inclusion and federalism 

— lie ahead of the parties. 

In 2008, CA was elected 

for a two-year term, but it 

UDMF for new CA with 601 members 

KATHMANDU: A meeting 

of the United Democratic 

Madhesi Front on 

Thursday decided to seek 

to hold elections for a 

new Constituent Assembly 

but without reducing 

its size, a move that could 

threaten the possibility of 

consensus among parties. 

Tarai Madhes Democratic 

Party Vice-chair 

Brikhesh Chandra Lal 

said any attempt to reduce 

the 601-member CA 

will result in delayed CA 

elections, which the 

UDMF does not want. 

“We are for holding the 

elections for a new CA as 

soon as possible,” said 

Lal. UDMF, a major coalition 

partner of the Baburam 

Bhattarai government, 

is an alliance of five 

Madhes-based parties 

and chiefs of all were present 

at Thursday’s meeting. 

Lal said UDMF was 

of the view that if parties 

lived for four years before 

it died on May 27. People’s 

aspirations have changed 

in the last four years, and a 

601-strong assembly, it 

does not seem, will go 

down well with people, nor 

will they accept a four-year 

term for the new assembly. 

People’s growing disenchantment 

with the parties 

is something leaders 

must be able to shake off, 

as they reach out to people 

to seek a fresh mandate. 

No sooner had the political 

forces reached an understanding 

to go for elections, 

they had started 

squabbling over who 

should lead the government. 

When it comes to 

consensus, the parties 

have shown pretty bad 

record. It’s up to the parties 

to convert challenges 

into opportunity. If parties 

overcome all the hurdles 

and the country goes for 

polls, it will be a different 

ballgame altogether where 

referee will be the people 

who can be unforgiving if 

cheated. 

failed to pick a prime 

ministerial candidate acceptable 

to all, then a 

neutral government 

should be formed and 

that UDMF too would 

propose its own candidate. 

He added that the 

parties must seek a solution 

to all problems in 

package and that legal 

hurdles should be removed 

by invoking Article 

158 of the Interim 

Constitution. — HNS 

Weather: Partly cloudy 

Max: 28-30 o 

C Min: 18-20 o 

C 

Sunrise 05:51 Sunset 18:04 

Capital ★ 16+4 pages Rs 3 

Women taking a holy bath to mark Rishi Panchami in the Bagmati River in 

Gokarna, Kathmandu, on Thursday. 

Maoist students unleash 

donation terror in Sunsari 

Ratna Prasad Acharya 

Dharan, September 20 

The donation drives carried out by 

sister organisations of Unified CPN- 

Maoist and CPN-Maoist have got 

traders, entrepreneurs and school operators 

of Sunsari district terrified. 

Stating that donation was being 

collected for the upcoming national 

conferences, both student unions are 

terrorising private and government 

schools and entrepreneurs. 

Chairperson of Sunsari chapter of 

Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation, 

Dil Kumar Ban, said leaders 

and cadres of ANNISU-R have been 

asking for Rs 5,000-50,000 from private 

schools in the district. 

Donation terror has become rife in 

Dharan, Itahari, Tarahara, Duhabi, 

THT 

Khanar, Inaruwa and Jhumka. Ban 

objected to absence of legal action 

against those who vandalised the vehicle 

of Delhi Public School and New 

Practical English Language Centre. 

PABSON has asked for security in 

Sunsari. Ban warned of protests if the 

donation terror did not stop. 

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Sunsari 

ANNISU-R affiliated to CPN-Maoist, 

Samin Limbu, said they have to hand 

over Rs 7 lakh for the national conference, 

so they have speeded up the donation 

campaign in the district. He 

said Rs 3 lakh had been collected till 

now. Sunsari CDO Laxman Thapa 

said security personnel have been 

mobilised following complaints of donation 

terror. He promised to bring 

those to book who try to collect donation 

forcefully.

PAGE 2 www.thehimalayantimes.com 

CAPITAL 

Purification rituals come under fire 

Women’s rights activists say the rites discriminate against women 



Women’s rights defenders 

have termed Rishi Panchami 

rituals for the ‘purification 

of sins committed 

throughout the year’ a severe 

form of society-imposed 

discrimination that 

undermines women’s selfrespect. 

During Rishi Panchami, 

Hindu women take a holy 

bath early in the morning 

and ask for forgiveness from 

Sapta Rishis (seven saints) 

for sins committed during 

monthly periods throughout 

the year. 

During menstruation, 

women and girls are not allowed 

to cook, touch or participate 

in religious prac- 

tices or come in contact 

with family members, considering 

them as impure. 

Dr Aruna Uprety, a 

women’s health activist, 

said menstruation is a natural 

cycle. But most of the 

time in the Hindu society it 

is taken as a sin, a curse and 

a taboo. She said monthly 

periods prepare a girl for 

another stage of life to give a 

birth and said there is no 

scientific base to prove that 

the cycle is a sin or a curse. 

In many rural areas, women 

receive inhuman treatment 

and face ostracisation during 

the monthly periods. 

This kind of treatment, 

called Chhaupadi, is in 

practice not only in midwestern 

and far-western regions, 

but in every house- 

hold in urban areas too, 

added Uprety. 

The inhuman practice 

continues even after the 

Supreme Court in 2004 outlawed 

it, describing it as a 

violation of human rights. 

Anita Pradhan, communication 

and gender officer 

at WaterAid Nepal, said 

women are taught what not 

to do than what to do during 

their periods. She added 

that menstruation is regarded 

as a private thing and 

women are asked to stay in 

isolation. Pradhan added 

that the topic is a taboo and 

women rarely talk about it. 

Women forced to practise 

Chhaupadi have reported 

rapes, snakebites and lack 

of nutrition because they 

are not allowed to cook for 

themselves or eat dairy 

products, added Pradhan. 

Menstrual hygiene issues 

have received little attention 

from the water, sanitation 

and hygiene sectors as 

well as from the reproductive 

health sector. As a result, 

millions of schoolgoing 

girls continue to miss a significant 

number of school 

days. 

These absences will adversely 

affect the girls’ educational 

and health-related 

attainment, added the communication 

officer. 

Although the Supreme 

Court has issued an order to 

the government to draft a 

regulation and implement it 

for the abolition of Chhaudapi, 

the order is yet to be 

implemented fully, advo- 

cate Meera Dhungana said. 

Mohana Ansari, 

spokesperson for the National 

Women Commission, 

said women should be 

aware of practices that discriminate 

against them. She 

described self-purification 

as a server form of discrimination 

against women. 

“The time has come to 

break the silence and to discuss 

the neglected issue,” 

she said. Whereas Dr Anjana 

Karki, senior obstetrician 

and gynaecologist at 

the B&B Hospital, said 

women should be more 

concerned about their hygiene 

during their periods. 

She said women should be 

given nutritious food and 

provided extra care during 

monthly periods. 

Rishi Panchami observed with fanfare 



Hindu women across the nation 

wrapped up the Teej festival by 

performing a Rishi Panchami 

puja on the third consecutive 

day of the religious fiesta today. 

The tradition is to pay respect 

and gratitude to the great deeds 

of Sapta Rishis, namely Kashyap, 

Atri, Bharadwaj, Vishwamitra, 

Gautam, Janadagni and 

Vashishtha. On the fifth day of 

Shukala Paksha (waxing moon 

period) in the Hindu Month of 

Bhadrapada, women take a bath 

early in the morning to mark 

Rishi Panchami and seek forgiveness 

for ‘sins’ committed 

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 

Women bathing in the Bagmati River during Rishi Panchami, in Gokarna, on Thursday. 

The day marks the end of Teej festival. 

during monthly periods. 

On the occasion, Hindu 

women clad in red attire arrange 

the idols of Saptarshis and perform 

puja. They also brush their 

teeth for 360 times using a plant 

known as Daatyaun. It is believed 

that by doing so, women 

can absolve themselves of ‘offences’. 

TU prof faces music for 

question paper leak 



The National Vigilance 

Centre today directed the 

Tribhuvan University to 

take departmental action 

against a faculty member 

who leaked question papers 

of a university exam. 

This comes as the question 

paper of the Linguistics 

and Literature of MA 

first year exam held on 

September 9, was found to 

be a copy of questions set 

by Assistant Professor 

Sharad Chandra Thakur for 

an internal exam at the 

university’s Kirtipur-based 

Department of English. 

“The secrecy of the question 

paper was violated, 

therefore necessary steps 

should be taken,” the National 

Vigilance Centre said 

in a letter to the university 

vice-chancellor. 

TU legal adviser Narayan 

Khanal said it is a case of 

Two arrested in City with drugs 

KATHMANDU: Police arrested 

two people with 

narcotic and pharmaceutical 

drugs in Kathmandu 

and Lalitpur on Wednesday. 

Police said they caught 

Anisha Moktan aka Aisha 

(18) of Sarlahi and Amrita 

Singh (17) of Jhama with 

125 pieces of diazepam 

End hostilities: UN chief 

THT 

KATHMANDU: United Nations Secretary 

General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called 

for a “complete cessation of hostilities” 

around the world. Issuing a statement on 

the International Day of Peace, Ban said, 

“Armed conflicts attack the very pillars of 

sustainable development.” The theme for 

this year’s International Day of Peace is 

‘Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future’. 

Ban underscored natural resources 

must not be used to finance wars. — HNS 

abuse of authority. He said 

the professor involved may 

be relieved of his job for the 

offence. The university’s 

regulations also state that a 

re-examination needs to 

be conducted if it is found 

that the secrecy of the 

questions were compromised. 

NVC has recommended 

the Office of the Controller 

of the Examination, Central 

Department of English 

and Examination committee 

to be aware of the incident 

and take every measure 

not to repeat the 

same. 

Following media reports 

that questions were leaked, 

the centre had formed a 

committee headed by section-officer 

Hum Nath 

Parajuli. The committee 

collected evidence from 

the Department of English, 

Office of the Controller of 

Examinations and interviewed 

officials involved. 

and 45 pieces of norphine 

from Sundhara. The two 

would lure students into 

drug abuse. Police recovered 

57 grams of brown 

sugar and pharmaceutical 

drugs from the house of 

Prem Bahadur Bishunkhe 

(33) in Bagdol. Bishunkhe 

is at large, police said. — HNS

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 www.thehimalayantimes.com 

CAPITAL 

Two pistols, 

bullets found in 

crusher industry 


Lalitpur, September 20 

Police have recovered two 

ultra-modern pistols and 

17 bullets from the Gunaha 

Bhu Crusher Industry in 

Lele, Lalitpur. 

This comes just two 

weeks after the Supreme 

Court directed the government 

to regulate the misuse 

of small arms through 

a licensing system and 

strictly enforce the Arms 

and Ammunition Act 1962 

and Explosives Act 1961 

noting that proliferation of 

weapons is posing a serious 

threat to society. 

Metropolitan Police 

Range in-charge SSP Rajendra 

Man Shrestha informed 

that police raided 

the industry yesterday on 

the basis of a special tipoff. 

“Police broke part of 

the wall of a building and 

recovered two automatic 

pistols of 9mm and 

7.65mm calibres and bullets 

wrapped in a plastic 

bag,” he revealed. 

SSP Shrestha said Birendra 

Maharjan (39) of Kumaripati, 

also a contractor, 

is the owner of the now-de- 

Opposition to 

JC criteria 


Kathmandu, Sept 20 

The legal community has 

objected to the new criteria 

set by the Judicial 

Council for appointing 

judges a day after the 

council decided to implement 

it. 

Calling on Chief Justice 

Khil Raj Regmi, representatives 

from the Nepal Bar 

Association expressed discontent 

over the new 

norms. 

"We asked the judiciary 

to go for an open-competition 

model to appoint 

judges," said Nepal Bar 

Secretary General Bijaya 

Prasad Mishra. 

Mishra said the Chief 

Justice assured the representatives 

that the council 

will begin making appointments 

to the 

Supreme Court and district 

courts gradually. 

The lawyers expressed 

dissatisfaction at the 

council decision to bar 

lawyers convicted of contempt 

of court and tax 

evasion from holding the 

judgeship. 

"We cannot support 

such restrictive clauses," 

he said. According to a 

source at Supreme Court, 

even sitting justices have 

opposed the norms. 

funct crusher industry. He 

is at large. 

“We suspect that Maharjan 

hid unlicensed 

weapons apparently to 

threaten rivals,” he informed 

citing a preliminary 

investigation report. 

Police have detained 

watchman Dorje Lama 

(22) of Lele, but they have 

not been able to establish 

his link with the weapons. 

SSP Shrestha informed 

that the process of purchase 

of the two pistols 

and the motive behind it is 

under police investigation. 

Though Italy-made pistols 

have been recovered 

from criminal gangs and 

arms traders even in the 

past, police said this is the 

first time they have recovered 

a Bulgaria-made pistol 

in the Kathmandu Valley. 

Security forces are often 

equipped with Bulgaria-made 

pistols, which 

have longer range, SSP 

Shrestha informed. 

Criminals have often 

used pistols of 7.65 calibre 

repeatedly in shootings, including 

in the killing of 

Supreme Court Justice 

Rana Bahadur Bam. 

PAGE 3

PAGE 4 

BLONDIE Dean Young and Denis Lebrun 

HAGAR Chris Browne 

BEETLE BAILEY Mort Walker 

BEAU PEEP Andrew Christine and Roger Kettle 

• ENGAGEMENTS 

EXHIBITION, CLASS AND WORKSHOP 

Yoga classes for ladies – Come transform yourself at the Transformers - The Yoga Studio. 

Venue: Naxal, time: 6 pm to 7 pm., charge for 21 days: Rs. 3500/-. Limited seats 

available. For further details 9841019111. 

A grooming program only for student captain of schools. Every Saturday. 

To register call 9851048323. 

'THE RISE OF THE COLLATERAL'– An Exhibition of Paintings by Mr. Manish Harijan from 

22nd August to 20th September 2012 at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, 

Kathmandu. 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, daily. Contact: 4218048 / 4438979. 

Handwriting Improvement Workshop: Handwriting Improvement Workshop from 9th Sept 

to 10th Oct '2012. Say GOODBYE to BAD Handwriting. To register call 9841280251. 

FINE CUISINE 

Cafereena a multi-cuisine restaurant located in the heart of city with the terrace beer garden 

turned up with the motto “Feed Your Passion”, Cafereena aims to be the most exclusive 

and unique restaurant offering the best lineup of cuisines. Contact: 

014231313(durbarmarg)/ 015009122(Jhamsikhel) 

Smoky Charcoal and Hot Stone BBQ Dinner at Splash Bar and Grill, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu 

from 14th September onwards every Friday at Rs. 1199 plus taxes from 18:30 

hrs. to 22:00 hrs. For more information contact: 4411818 Ext. 1302. 

EVENT 

'Weaving Art & Change in Nepal' - The Australian Embassy Presents a collaboration between 

Kumbheshwar Technical School & Australian Artists - An Exhibition of limited 

edition of carpets, sculptures, artists' books and paintings from 23rd September to 

7th October 2012 at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, Kathmandu. 

11:00 am - 5:00 pm, daily. Contact: 4218048 / 4438979. 

Presenting a mix of talent and experience with the funky boys of soul back by 2 lovely 

singers in this celebration of the music of good times. You'll be shaking along with Stevie, 

Kool and the Gang and even Queen. Come join us for a groovy night at Moksh. Cover 

Charge: 200/-. For More Info : 9841-320007 

Sizzler promotion at the Terrace Garden, Radisson Hotel New Wing at Rs. 777 net per 

person including a complimentary drink from 7thSeptember 2012, 1 pm to 9 pm. Contact 

4411818 Ext. 1302. 

Experience your holiday at Kingfisher Jungle Resort at Shukranagar, Meghauli Chitwan. 

One night and two days at Rs 3500 and two nights and three days at Rs 6000. Elephant 

safari,Canoeing and Nature walk fee to pay extra at the resort pickup and drop 

to Narayanghat.Residential package at Rs 30,000 per month. Contact: Rudra Raj 

Dotel 9849 059295, Kathmandu Office: 4260329, Resort: 056 69 4490. 

Good Music at Tamarind Restro and Bar, Dharmendra Sewan every Friday acoustic live, 

sufi evening with Hemanta Rana every Wednesday, Salsa Workshop every Tuesday, 

Value Meals with Coke everyday from 1130hrs to 1500 hrsacoustic live with Hem 

Lama every Saturday and piano playing by Sunil Singh every Sunday, Monday and 

Thursday. For booking Contact: 552-2626. 

Monsoon Madness, 2 Nights/3 Days Package @ Shangri~La Village Resort, Pokhara, only 

@ Rs.4999 Nett per person on twin sharing basis and get back coupons worth Rs 3000 

Nett. For more details and reservation: 4412999 Extn.7566, 7503, 7524. 

2 Night 3 days package Summer Slash Package at Hotel Landmark Pokhara for local resident 

only With Just NRS 7777 Nett inclusive of Breakfast & Dinner per double/ twin 

room . Contact 4701076, 9851130350, 9851106662. 

Escape the hustle & bustle of Kathmandu and enjoy peace and tranquility, good food and 

fresh air at Shivapuri Heights Cottage. Rs 3000.00 per person per night inclusive of 

dinner and breakfast. Contact Sohan: 9841371927, Steve: 9851012245 or e-mail: 

info@shivapuricottage.com 

For listing in this column, mail your events to 

engagements@thehimalayantimes.com 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Across: 1 Trained fighters in the ancient 

Roman shows (10) - 8 Able was I, ___ 

__ saw Elba ? (3,1) - 9 ____ - buster : 

huge power, in a way ? (5) - 10 Eastern 

teacher (4) - 11 Angelic being of the 

highest order of the celestial hierarchy ? 

(6) - 14 Not, as a prefix ? (3) - 15 Nip 

and ___ : with each competitor 

equalling or closely contesting the 

speed, scoring, etc. (4) - 17 Excision or 

expunging; obliteration (8) - 19 In a calm 

and collected and unruffled manner (8) - 

21 Vessel that is round and open at the 

top for holding liquids (4) - 22 Arabian is 

9 

10 11 12 13 

14 

15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 

23 24 25 26 27 

29 

30 

Quick Clues 

• WHAT’S ON 

NTV 

0800 News 

0830 Serophero 

0905 Aadha Aakash 

0930 Jhankar 

1030 Prawashi Ko Sandesh 

1130 Yaha Samma 

Aai Pugda 

1430 Business Hour 

1645 Best Brand 

1705 School Schoolma 

1805 Kids Zone 

1825 Hamro Kathmandu 

1838 Krishi 

1900 News 

1925 Shanti Abhiyan 

2000 News 

2050 Jhyaikuti Jhyai 

2130 Samay Sambad 

2230 News 

NTV PLUS 

1700 Play It On (Live) 

1830 Koseli 

1945 Trade Cycle 

1930 Jamka Bhet 

2000 Jhankar 

2015 Cinemax 

2045 Say No To Drugs 

2115 Ulinchaya Bakha 

Thulincha (Telefilm) 

2145 Fashion And Touch 

2215 Lok Geet 

STARPLUS 

1845 Ruk Jana Nahi 

1915 Saath Nibhana 

Saathiya 

1945 Ek Doosre Se Karte 

Hain Pyaar Hum 

2015 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya 

Naam Doon? 

2045 Ek Hazaaron Mein 

Meri Behna Hain 

2115 Diya aur Baati Hum 

2145 Yeh Rishta Kya 

Kehlata Hai 

2215 Pyaar Ka Dard 

Meetha Meetha 

Pyara Pyara 

28 

22 

8 

the closest one to us (3) - 23 Reverberates 

like sound in the valley ? (6) - 26 

___ one’s true colours : reveal true character 

? (4) - 28 ____ - eater : person 

given to indolent enjoyment ? (5) - 29 A 

case for needles (4) - 30 ___ the bowling 

: scoring runs freely, should we say ? 

(10). 

Down: 2 In ___ of : as a substitute for ? 

(4) - 3 Expose a fraud (6) - 4 Were present 

in large numbers (8) - 5 Classic 

horse race (4) - 6 Wither with heat; make 

dry (4) - 7 Searched __ __ __ for : 

searched in every nook and corner for ? 

(4,3,3) - 10 Deteriorate completely ? 

STARWORLD 

1815 Grey’s Anatomy 

1915 Two And A Half Men: 

The Soil Is Moist 

1945 2 Broke Girls 

2015 The Simpsons 

2045 The Front Row with 

Anupama Chopra 

2115 Masterchef Australia 

2215 Grey’s Anatomy 

ZEE TV 

1815 Hitler Didi 

1845 Punar Vivaah: Zindagi 

Milegi Dobara 

1915 Afsar Bitiya 

1945 Sapne Suhane 

Ladakpan Ke 

2015 Rab Se Sohna Isshq 

2045 Hitler Didi 

2115 Pavitra Rishta 

2145 Phir Subah Hogi 

2215 Mrs. Kaushik Ki 

Paanch Bahuein 

TENSPORTS 

0715 WWE: Raw 

1015 UEFA Europa League 

2012/13 

1415 World Team Tennis 

2011 

1615 UEFA Champions 

League 2012/13 

1945 ON HBO 

1915 UEFA Europa League 

2012/13: Inter Milan 

vs. Rubin Kazan 

2115 EFLI Player Profile: 

Kolkata Vipers 

2130 EFLI Player Profile: 

Pakistan Wolfpak 

2145 UEFA Champions 

League 2012/13 

2245 WWE: Smackdown 

STARSPORTS 

1245 WTA Guangzhou 

1545 Serie A Show 

1615 V8 Supercars Championship 

Series 2012 

1715 MotoGP World Championship 

2012 H/ls 

1815 2 Wheels 

2045 Mobil 1 The Grid 

2115 Score Tonight 

2215 Total Italian Football 

2012/13 

2245 Liga Bbva 2012/13 

HBO 

0715 Ray 

1140 Twelve Monkeys 

1345 The Bridges Of Madison 

County 

1600 Arthur 3: The War Of 

The Two Worlds 

1745 The Green Hornet 

1945 Starsky & Hutch 

2125 Bad Teacher 

2300 Nick Of Time 

CINEMAX 

0710 You Only Live Twice 

0905 Red Dawn 

1100 The Perfect Weapon 

1220 Locusts: The 8th 

Plague 

1345 The Big Cube 

1530 Robin Hood 

1755 Attack Force 

1930 Epad On Max 181 

1945 Strike Back S203 

2035 The Eagle 

2225 The Scorpion King 3 


POTPOURRI 

DENNIS Hank Ketcham 

HOCUS FOCUS Henry Boltinoff 

Himalayan Double Crossword — 5723 

(2,2,6) - 12 French season (3) - 13 A 

Mexican pal (5) - 16 A slow ___ : don’t 

expect him to move speedily (5) - 18 Exaggerates 

in one’s speech or action ? 

(4,2,2) - 20 Another word for ‘anger’ (3) - 

21 A type of hound - Fred for one ? (6) - 

24 Roman poet - “O div” anagram ? (4) - 

25 Very poor house (4) - 27 __ __ even 

keel : cruising serenely ? (2,2). 

Cryptic Clues 

Across: 1 Giving no feeling of being percieved 

(10) - 8 Engine awfully cool (4) - 9 

Mason heard to be agonised by the slip 

of a chisel (5) - 10 Work back … leave 

stick (4) - 11 Grave for corrupt mobster 

giving up a section of turf (6) - 14 Took a 

seat, but not a whole one (3) - 15 Remove 

coarser particles from massif 

tracks (4) - 17 Athletes can take it easy 

after this (4,4) - 19 Perhaps tape musical 

introduction to Erasure compilation (8) - 

21 Hair-do with lots of different possiblities, 

in short (4) - 22 Quite a fuss this 

time over nothing (3) - 23 Philosopher’s 

art review is partial (6) - 26 Anguish of 

one In galley-vessel (4) - 28 Fly from a 

ship in trouble (5) - 29 Otherwise this will 

get twisted for the eels (4) - 30 Survive 

tiny eleventh hour (4-6). 

Down: 2 Singular phasing of the moon ? 

(4) - 3 Only source of notes for official 

film music (2,4) - 4 He indulges in childish 

talk (8) - 5 As an employer he’s outstanding 

(4) - 6 Ancient country in the 

Lamington National Park (4) - 7 Those 

seeing to travel arrangements for skilled 

workers ? (10) - 10 Ex-teacher is an expert 

(4,6) - 12 With this lacking dis- 

missed (3) - 13 Loud sound of bass - real 

agony (5) - 16 Aptitude making one 

quite good at absorbing learning (5) - 18 

Angel cuts up pitch in the end (8) - 20 

Gripped by traumatic uprising, as Egypt 

was once (3) - 21 Calls - finds Father’s at 

home (4,2) - 24 Arrangement of late 

carrying weight in China (4) - 25 Food 

served in here at suppertime (4) - 27 

Fabric originating in Indonesian knotting 

and tying (4). 

Yesterday’s Solution 

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ARRIVAL 

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KTM-BIR-KTM DAILY 0900/1030 AG801/802 

KTM-BIR-KTM DAILY 1230/1400 AG805/806 

KTM-LUK-KTM DAILY 0630/0745 AG101/102 

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GUNA AIRLINES 

DAILY 1030/1105 U4553/554 

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KTM-BWA-KTM 

NEPAL AIRLINES 

DAILY 1250/1415 GNA071/072 

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KTM-KGL-KTM MON 0840/1005 RA107/108 

KTM-SKH-KTM WED 1210/1515 RA153/154 

KTM-PKR MON,TUE 1500 RA167 

PKR-KTM TUE, WED 1225 RA168 

KTM-TMI-KTM 

YETI AIRLINES 

SAT 1000/1130 RA191/192 

KTM-PKR-KTM DAILY 0800/0910 NYT671/672 

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KTM-BIR-KTM DAILY 0900/1040 NYT787/788 

KTM-BIR-KTM DAILY 1220/1400 NYT791/792 

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KTM-BDP-KTM DAILY 1410/1600 NYT923/924 

KTM-BWA-KTM DAILY 0840/1000 NYT891/892 

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KTM-JKP-KTM DAILY 1110/1140 NYT571/572 

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KTM-DHI-KTM DAILY 1230/1510 NYT231/232 

**Please check with airlines for any change in schedule 

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012


NATIONAL 

• ONCE-OVER 

CA election hailed 

NARAYANGARH: Nepali Congress 

central member Arjun Narsingh KC 

on Thursday said that it was positive 

on the part of political parties to 

agree to go for new Constituent Assembly 

(CA) elections. Speaking at a 

press meet organised by Press Union, 

Chitwan in Bharatpur, he said parties 

should now decide about the structure 

and members of the upcoming 

CA. He focused on the process in 

which after promulgation of the 

statute,the CA will automatically 

transform itself into parliament. He 

further said there was no alternative 

to referendum to decide on the structure 

of federalism. “Along with the CA 

election we can go for referendum on 

the issue of single ethnic identity or 

multiple ethnic identity,” he added. 

He clarified that NC was in the favour 

of multiple ethnic identity. He said 

the number of federal states, border, 

population and distribution of natural 

resources were technical subjects 

to be settled by a commission. — HNS 

Relief distributed 

BIRTAMOD: Various governmental 

and non-governmental agencies on 

Thursday distributed relief to 41 

households in Jhapa that were displaced 

by a flood in Kankai River. The 

District Administration Office and 

the District Natural Disaster Rescue 

Committee has provided Rs 2,500 to 

each family in Korobari-2 and 8. Similarly, 

Nepal Red Cross Society, Jhapa, 

distributed tents, utensils and clothing. 

Meanwhile a flood in Nindakhola 

has hit around eight families in 

Jyamirgadi-8. — HNS 

Guard found dead 

BARA: Mahendra Patel (35) of 

Bahuari-1, Bara was found dead on 

Thursday at Prasauni VDC-based, 

Annapurna Textiles. He had died due 

to excessive alcohol consumption. 

Patel was a security guard at the mill. 

The body was taken to Kalaiya hospital 

for post mortem. —HNS 

Lightning kills one 

DAMAK: Manjar Alam (30) of 

Pathamari-2, Jhapa was killed by 

lightning strike on Thursday afternoon. 

He was returning home from 

his field when lightning struck him, 

police said. — HNS 



Shah’s religious tour 

kicks up controversy 


Pokhara, September 20 

Former king Gyanendra Shah arrived 

in Pokhara today afternoon 

on a week-long visit to religious 

sites in Gandaki and Dhaulagiri 

zones. 

Upon his arrival in the Lake City 

at about 4:00 pm, thousands of 

Pokharelis welcomed him with 

music and bouquets and garlands. 

They also chanted slogans urging 

him to save the nation. 

A huge number of security personnel 

were deployed for Shah’s security. 

Shah was escorted to the 

tourist city from Lekhanath by 

hundreds of motorbikes. 

Speaking about the former king’s 

visit, law professional Indra Baral 

argued that people’s sympathy for 

the deposed king had to do with the 

failure of political parties. Similar 

was the take of a loyalist Laxman 

Karki. “At this juncture the people 

have much liking for monarchy 

due to the parties ,” he reasoned. 

Meanwhile, UCPN-M and various 

indigenous nationalities’ organisations 

protested Shah’s visit. 

While organisations like Tamuwan 

Youth Volunteers Kaski, Tamu Dhi 

Nepal, Tamu Mukti Morcha, Stu- 

‘UCPN-M will lead consensus govt’ 

Unified CPN-Maoist 

Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota 

said his party had all the 

reasons to hold the next Constituent 

Assembly elections under 

its leadership as the incumbent 

government had achieved 

major success on the peace 

process and some other aspects 

of governance. 

Addressing an interaction 

here today, Sapkota said Nepali 

Congress had lost its claim to 

form a new government because 

it did not ensure delivery 

of a new constitution as per the 

spirit of the five-point deal. “If 

others do not accept our leadership, 

why should we accept others’ 

leadership?” Sapkota said. 

He maintained that framing 

an identity based federal constitution 

through Constituent Assembly 

was his party’s bottomline. 

Sapkota clarified that his 

party was concerned about protecting 

the identity of dominant 

groups and not creating ethnic 

states as rumoured by opposition 

parties. “We can protect the 

identity of small groups by 

‘Party open to discussion’ 

KATHMANDU: UCPN-M on 

Thursday said it was not rigid 

about the election system and 

the size of the CA though it 

wanted the CA’s strength to be 

less than the previous 601. 

“We are not rigid but open to 

discussion to finalise the size 

of the new CA,” said Agni Sapkota, 

spokesperson of the 

UCPN-M. Following the decision 

of major parties the nation 

will now be holding fresh 

elections for the Constituent 

forming autonomous units 

within the pradeshes.” 

He said Nepal’s nationalism 

could be strengthened only 

when political, social, cultural 

and economic rights of the 

marginalised communities 

were restored. 

Sadbhavana Party Chairman 

Rajendra Mahato said the United 

Democratic Madhesi Front 

would not accept NC leadership 

in an election government because 

the grand old party did 

not ensure delivery of a federal 

Assembly despite objections 

from other parties including 

CPN-M. Sapkota said the party 

was for mixed election system 

like the earlier CA election 

combination of First Past 

the Post (FPTP) and Proportional 

election. “We can go for 

either the one agreed by the 

parties earlier —376 members 

with 171 elected and 140 

from proportional representation 

or the one practiced 

earlier,” he said. — HNS 

constitution. “There will be a 

neutral government if parties 

fail to name a new prime minister,” 

he added. Mahato said 

NC’s 11-pradesh model was a 

deviation from genuine federalism. 

NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat, 

however, said his party had 

legitimate claim to leadership 

of a new government because 

the parties had agreed to the 

same on many occasions in the 

past. “The eleven-Pradesh 

model was not our proposal, 

Participants at a motorbike rally taken out in Itahari on Thursday, on the eve of the ninth 

conference of the CPN-UML’s Itahari chapter. 

Bandh to protest visit 

MYAGDI: Political parties in 

Myagdi have called a bandh in 

the district on Friday to protest 

the former king’s Gandaki- 

Dhaulagiri religious tour. He is 

arriving in the district from 

Pokhara at 10:30 am. Terming 

the visit ‘driven by ‘wish to fulfil 

vested interests’ by taking 

advantage of the transition period, 

a meeting of seven political 

parties of the district decided 

to challenge the ex-king’s 

visit. As part of their protest, 

the parties organised a protest 

meeting in the afternoon and 

staged a torch rally in the 

evening here today. — HNS 

dent Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, 

among others, put up a 

half-hour chakkajam and a corner 

meeting at the local Prithvi Chowk 

at noon, UCPN-M protested by organising 

a corner meeting. “We 

want his trip to be religious, but his 

direct meeting with the people is 

something objectionable, so we 

had to protest,” said UCPN-M Kaski 

In-charge Jhalakpani Tiwari. 

Foreign aid must be as 

per Nepal’s need: DPM 



Deputy Prime Minister and Minister 

for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji 

Shrestha today said all international 

aid and assistance for Nepal 

must be channelised as per national 

priorities and needs. 

“We are fully aware that international 

support and cooperation 

must be in line with our overarching 

national priorities and needs,” 

Shrestha said at an interaction in 

the Capital today. He said donor 

agencies and nations must not impose 

their own agenda and prioritise 

areas of their interest. Shrestha, 

who is leading a delegation to the 

UN General Assembly on Saturday, 

said he would raise this issue there. 

Earlier, the Government of 

Nepal, especially the Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and National 

Planning commission were at 

odds with the United Nations in 

Nepal, especially with UNDP over 

the content of the latter’s proposed 

United Nation Development Assistance 

Framework in Nepal for the 

next five years. Before reaching understanding 

two weeks ago, the 

government was not happy with 

the assistance priority and some 

THT 

“politically motivated content” included 

in the development policy 

draft like the UNDAF. Foreign Minister 

Shrestha’s statement coincides 

with a report in a leading British 

newspaper that the UK government 

“wasted” almost 500 million 

pound sterling last year as consultants’ 

fees in the name of foreign 

assistance, including in Nepal. 

“We will be presenting to the 

world the trust and underlying philosophy 

of our nationally-driven 

indigenous peace process as well as 

the challenges we confront,” 

Shrestha said . He further said he 

would apprise the world community 

about the internal situation 

and the peace process, Nepal’s 

longstanding policy of contributing 

to international peace and security, 

and about its stance against armament 

and terrorism. 

As the incumbent chair of Least 

Developed Countries Nepal will 

raise developmental issues such as 

sustainable development, climate 

change, Millennium Development 

Goals, problems faced by LDCs and 

LLDCs, South-South cooperation 

and global governance, UN reform 

and the new international economic 

architecture in the 67th 

UNGA, according to him. 

but the UCPN-M’s,” Mahat said 

and added that there would be 

two pradeshes in Madhes, but 

his party’s only concern was to 

allow the adjoining regions to 

either join the neighbouring 

Pradesh or to stay separate from 

a particular Pradesh. “Pradeshes 

should be carved out on one 

variable, and there should be 

one criterion for hills and another 

for Madhes,” he added. 

CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal 

said his party was committed 

to the five-point deal but they 

would not object if political 

stakeholders decided to go for a 

non-congress leadership. He 

said the term of the new CA 

should not be more than one 

year. 

CPN-Maoist leader Narayan 

Sharma Poudel said the new CA 

might not be able to give a new 

constitution again if parties 

contested the elections without 

preparing criteria for the same. 

“We might boycott the CA elections,” 

he said and added that 

there should be a round-table 

conference on issues of the constitution 

and the formation of a 

new government before elections 

are held. 

Bhattarai has turned 

into dictator: CPN-M 



Following the decision of 

the four major parties to go 

for fresh Constituent Assembly 

elections , CPN- 

Maoist today warned that 

the decision of the ‘fourparty 

syndicate’ was a plot 

to keep people in illusion. 

Issuing a press statement, 

CPN-M Chairman 

Mohan Baidhya warned 

that talking about elections 

without finalising the contents 

of the constitution 

and election system was a 

ploy to betray the people. 

Baidhya appealed to the 

people not to remain in illusion 

by the claim of the 

three parties and United 

Democratic Madhesi Front 

that their decision was acceptable 

to all. 

Vice-chairman of the 

party CP Gajurel said CPN- 

M has called a meeting on 

Friday with parties that are 

not in government to discuss 

the latest political de- 

PAGE 5 

velopment and take a concrete 

decision on how to 

move ahead. 

He said the parties are 

not clear about the election 

system, number of CA 

members and many other 

contents of the constitution. 

“Who gave them the 

right to turn CA into Legislature 

Parliament after six 

months?” he asked. “We 

won’t accept the proposal 

of the four-party syndicate 

to go for parliamentary system 

again,” he said. Every 

decision that affects the 

people must be directed by 

the constitution, he said. 

Gajurel said Friday’s 

meeting could also devise a 

plan to go for a stern movement 

against the four-party 

syndicate. 

Gajurel alleged that Bhattarai 

has turned into a dictator 

and he cannot hear 

people’s voice and therefore 

the parties should now 

think of a different form of 

struggle to make him hear 

people’s woes.


NATIONAL 

• ONCE-OVER 

A man standing outside his 

house, damaged by a landslide, in 

Gairi Tole, Sunsari, on Thursday. 

Houses buried 

THT 

DHARAN: Two houses in Dharan-8based 

Gairi Tol were buried by landslide 

after incessant rainfall on Thursday 

morning. Landslide at around 

4:00 am buried the houses of local Bir 

Bahadur Bhujel and Chandra Kumari 

Tamang. Chandra Kumari said, “The 

landslide came all of a sudden and all 

our belongings, food and clothes 

were swept away, but we managed to 

save our lives as we came out of the 

house hurriedly.” Both the families 

are taking shelter in neighbours’ 

houses. Likewise, landslide damaged 

local Umesh BK, Madhu Maya BK 

and Bhumika Magar’s houses as well, 

informed District Police Office. — HNS 

Fever claims minor 

PHIDIM: Rajpati Limbu of Tapethok 

VDC in Taplejung district died of viral 

fever on Thursday. Limbu, a fifth 

grader at Tapethok VDC- based 

Parbati Lower Secondary School, was 

suffering from viral fever since last 

week. More than 150 locals of the 

VDC’s wards 7, 8 and 9 are reported to 

have contracted the fever. Meanwhile, 

a group of health workers from 

the neighbouring VDC, Lelep Area 

Health Post reached the affected 

areas, local resident Netra Phembo 

informed. — HNS 

One dies after fall 

MANTHALI: Bir Bahadur Bisunke 

(14) died after he fell off a cliff on 

Wednesday night. He slipped off the 

cliff when he was running with stolen 

fruits and vegetables. — HNS 

Multi-sector nutrition plan launched 



The National Planning Commission 

(NPC) today launched 

a five-year Multi-Sector Nutrition 

Plan (MSNP 2013-2017 ) 

to reduce malnutrition among 

mothers and children. 

Speaking at the launch, 

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai 

said fighting chronic malnutrition 

will help prepare a 

foundation for social and economic 

development to achieve 

the Millennium Development 

Goals (MDGs). 

In Nepal, 41 per cent of children 

suffer from stunting or 

chronic malnutrition. Chronic 

Bogati meets 

Japanese official 



Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil 

Aviation Post Bahadur Bogati met Chairman 

of Japan-Nepal Parliamentary 

Friendship Association Toshihiro Nikai 

in Tokyo today. 

“The meeting emphasised the importance 

of strengthening cooperation in 

many areas, particularly bilateral relations 

and tourism promotion of Nepal in 

Japan,” the Embassy of Nepal in Japan 

said in a press statement. 

Bogati also met the Chairman of Japan 

Buddhist Federation (JBF) Rev 

Masamichi Shodo Kobayashi, where the 

minister acknowledged the role of JBF in 

Lumbini Development and highlighted 

Nepal’s plan to develop Lumbini as a 

peace city, the statement read.He has invited 

the JBF and its members to visit 

Nepal to participate the World Buddhist 

Conference to be held in January 2013. 

Bogati was accompanied by the Nepali 

Ambassador to Japan Madan Kumar 

Bhattarai and Deputy Chief of Mission 

Tapas Adhikari during both meetings. 

Meanwhile, Japanese Language Teachers’ 

Association Nepal is organising 

Japanese Karaoke Competition-2012 in 

Patan Dhoka on Saturday. 

malnutrition accounts for at 

least one-third of deaths 

among children below five 

years of age. 

It is estimated that ailments 

resulting from malnutrition 

can consume as much as 10 

per cent of lifetime earnings 

among the affected. “The consequences 

of stunting are serious, 

life-long and irreversible,” 

said Bhattarai. He added that 

children who survive malnutrition 

are at increased risk of 

morbidity and decreased cognitive 

function resulting in 

lower academic performance 

and low economic productivity. 

They are also at risk of diseases 

such as diabetes and 

Hunger strike for 

airport continues 


Pokhara, September 20 

Residents of Pokhara continued 

with their relay hunger strike with 

a sit-in today to press the government 

for early construction of 

Pokhara Regional International 

Airport. 

The Sangam family and officials 

as well as members of Lions Club 

of Pokhara participated in the 

hunger strike. 

Concern Committee Coordinator 

Krishna Mohan Shrestha said 

they changed the nature of the 

protest as Prime Minister Baburam 

Bhattarai had given hope that 

a Nepali representative would go 

to China to work out an agreement 

on the new process for construction 

of the airport within one 

week. So, they changed the protest 

to a sit-in from 9:00 am to 11: 00 

am in front of the airport, said 

Shrestha. 

He added that they had stopped 

all protests at government offices. 

The committee warned that if the 

government does not address 

their demands by September 25, 

they will renew their agitation. 

obesity, said the Prime Minister. 

Malnourishment of the 

mother before and during 

pregnancy is one of the major 

causes of stunting. Children 

who are malnourished during 

the first two years of their life, 

are also stunted. Therefore, efforts 

should focus on reducing 

malnutrition among adolescent 

girls, pregnant and lactating 

women and children, said 

Bhattarai. 

The government has recognised 

chronic malnutrition as 

a major problem in the country. 

“Due to its potential negative 

impact on economic development, 

it must be urgently 

addressed nationally,” the 

Prime Minister suggested. 

The national multi-sector 

nutrition plan has been prepared 

by seven ministries under 

the coordination of NPC, 

in collaboration with development 

partners. UNICEF has 

provided the lead technical 

support, and European Union 

has provided funds. 

The plan offers a package of 

activities and interventions 

with priority on strategic objectives 

which will contribute 

by bringing down the current 

prevalence rates of chronic 

malnutrition on to one-third. 

It focuses on intervention 

during the first 1,000 days of 


life. The period from conception 

to a child’s second birthday 

is critical as young children 

lose their chance to thrive 

cognitively and physically if 

they are poorly nourished. 

“Malnutrition has been a silent 

emergency in Nepal,” said 

Hanaa Singer, Country Representative 

of UNICEF Nepal. 

Deependra Bahadur 

Kshetry, vice-chair of National 

Planning Commission, 

blamed poor levels of nutrition 

for more than half of all child 

deaths in Nepal — a proportion 

unmatched by any infectious 

disease. He said the plan 

aims to enhance multi-sector 

collaboration. 

Displaced Dalit families begging for help outside Saptari District 

Administration Office on Thursday. 


Biratnagar, September 20 

With the festive season fast approaching, 

government authorities 

in the East have intensified monitoring 

of markets. 

Upendra Raya, chief of the Eastern 

Regional Food Technology and 

Quality Control Office, Biratnagar, 

said special teams were now collecting 

food samples from markets in 

Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha 

and Udayapur. 

“As we received complaints that 

consumers were being cheated during 

festivities, the teams are inspecting 

hotels, restaurants, shops, 

industries and factories,” he said. 

Each monitoring team comprises 

five to seven members, including 

representatives from the district administration 

office, commerce office, 

police and the Federation of 

Patients 

deprived of 

treatment 

Himalayan News Services 

Bajhang, September 20 

Residents of Surma and 

Daulichour VDCs of Bajhang 

district suffering from viral 

fever have been deprived of 

treatment as local health 

posts are not equipped to 

handle the situation. 

The villagers have been 

compelled to go to the district 

headquarters for treatment 

due to lack of facilities 

in local health posts, complained 

Bir Bahadur Jethara 

of Surma. 

More than 400 people of 

the VDCs have been taken ill 

since last week. The outbreak, 

which started some 

days ago in Surma, has now 

spread to neighbouring 

Daulichour VDC as well. “As 

many as 40 patients visited 

the health post for treatment 

on Wednesday,” Jethara said 

adding, “As there was no 

medicine, they returned 

without treatment.” 

Due to fear of epidemic, 

most schools in the two 

VDCs have been shut down 

since last week. Chief District 

Health Officer Indra 

Prasad Paudel said he was 

unaware of the outbreak. He 

said the government was all 

set to send medicine to affected 

areas at the earliest. 

Market monitoring intensified in eastern region 

THT 

Nepalese Chambers of Commerce 

and Industry. 

The collected samples will be 

tested in a lab and if they are found 

to be sub-standard or unhygienic, 

action will be taken against the concerned 

outlets, informed the food 

technology office. 

The office has recently filed cases 

against 90 firms found distributing 

unhygienic or sub-standard food 

items in various districts in the East.


PAGE 7


TheHimalayan 

T I M E S 

A THOUGHT FOR T ODAY 

We cannot do great things. 

We can only do little things with great love. 

—Mother Teresa 

Dismal showing 

The importance of economic rights cannot be belittled 

for on these fundamental rights hinges political 

freedom or civil freedom. It is universally acknowledged 

that economic rights are prerequisite for 

all round human development. The right to personal 

property is essential for prosperity. Thus, it is a matter 

of concern that Nepal has been unable to improve its 

legal structure and property rights. As per this year’s 

Economic Freedom of the World Report 2012, Nepal’s 

score has decreased revealing that as far economic 

freedom is concerned the country is not doing 

enough. Again, considering that it was because of the 

weak property rights and legal structure that Nepal 

did not attract sufficient foreign direct investment, so 

much has to be done in this regard as it is considered 

essential for economic progress. We should also consider 

the fact that property rights are linked with both 

poverty and prosperity. In the absence or curtailing 

of property rights, prosperity will prove elusive. Although 

the government realizes this, it has failed miserably 

in protecting the property rights. 

Thus, the forecasts that Nepal’s score in property 

rights will plummet further in the next two years has 

given rise to immense concern for it appears that this 

government is now against property rights. There can 

be no second thoughts about the desirability of having 

economic freedom. Still, the government refuses 

to acknowledge this. 

There is economic free- 

That the economy dom when individuals 

is being taken on can acquire property 

without using force, fraud 

a more controlled or theft and they are pro- 

course should be tected from physical invasion 

by others and they 

stiffly opposed have the right to use, ex- 

in the interest change or give the property 

to others without im- 

of economic 

pinging on the identical 

freedom 

rights of others. It is the 

responsibility of the government 

to provide law and order but in this it has 

failed miserably. This has an impact on economic 

freedom for it would not be conducive to the respect 

of contracts made. The government should be able to 

fulfill these basic responsibilities. 

What more, the government has also been promoting 

cartelling and syndicates and to make matters 

worse even the private sector is doing so. The 

market should be free and this would promote prosperity 

by the freedom to trade, but this is not being 

put to practice and, in fact, is being misinterpreted in 

Nepal. To elaborate further, the market should also 

play fair for it is realized that freedom alone is not sufficient. 

To compound the present dismal plight of the 

Nepalese economy, the private sector does not appear 

to be competitive. Their anti-competitive behaviour 

has a telling effect on the market prices. Also 

exacerbating this trend is the lack of rule of law. Other 

unfavorable developments are the cartelling of interest 

rates, with ramifications on economic financing, 

and little investment in agriculture. Adding to the 

problem is the shortage of manpower in agriculture 

and the politicization of the industrial labor unions 

leading to the reduction of labor productivity. These 

happen because of the weak regulation in the labour 

market. Therefore, that the economy is being taken 

on a more controlled course should be stiffly opposed 

in the better interest of economic freedom. 

Sober ways 

Despite the hype over the goal-oriented antidrunk-driving 

campaign of the police, the open 

sale and distribution of liquor both through licensed 

bars as well unauthorised restaurants are causing 

problems. Of course, the fear instilled by the police 

has led to very few taking to driving under the influence 

of alcohol. All this is fine in the Kathmandu Valley, 

but the highways throughout the country present 

a dreary tale. Almost all the shops along the highways 

sell alcohol of all brands. But, with the government 

sensing a loss of revenue from the sale of illegally 

brewed alcohol, seems to be mooting hitting out at 

the roadside alcohol outlets. If done, this will not only 

stifle anti-social activities by intoxicated people, but 

also discourage the vehicle drivers from taking the 

sips that may spell disaster while driving. 

There is no denying that most of the accidents 

have been found to take place with a drunk driver at 

the wheels. The easy accessibility of alcohol along the 

roadside shops has to be blamed in the overall picture. 

With the ban on the roadside alcohol vendors, 

and enhanced vigilance of the police, this may help 

contain the spate of accidents. 

• LETTERS 

Agenda for 

next election 

The birth of another CA could 

be another defunct body that 

would never write the 

constitution. Nepal should not 

waste time and money in 

further adventures in trying to 

give birth to a new constitution. 

The President should appoint a 

non-party government prior to 

the national referendum on an 

expert-drafted republican 

constitution that makes 

provisions of the fool-proof 

rigid guarantees of the 

aspirations of the people for 

sustained peace for 

generations, maximum of the 

Human Rights and of the 

personal liberties not yet found 

in any democracies on Earth. 

Megha Nepal, Kathmandu 

Faulty 

The editorial “Whither MRP” 

(THT, Sept.19, Page 8) has 

suggested that it is high time 

the government came up with 

some innovative schemes that 

would really provide relief to 

the consumers reeling from 

unfair market price hike. I 

would like to opine that the 

most innovative scheme would 

be no-taxes of any kind on very 

MADAN KUMAR DAHAL 

The forecast of IMF that 

the world economy 

would witness a more dangerous 

global economic 

meltdown in 2012 and onward 

with growing debt crisis 

in euro-zone including 

the US and the likely scaling 

back of economic growth 

rates in China (7.8 per cent) 

and India (5.5 per cent) 

against the original projections 

are a major threat to 

developing economies that 

calls for reordering of priorities 

to absorb external 

shocks and sustain the pace 

of economic development. 

And Nepal is no exception 

to it. With the emergence of 

protracted transition, especially 

after the mysterious 

dissolution of the Constituent 

Assembly (CA), 

Nepal’s future is entrapped 

into intractable situations 

circumscribed by unwarranted 

fraudulent behavior 

of political activists that totally 

minimized the significance 

of ethics, values and 

morality to sustain development 

activities in a burgeoning 

economy. The current 

development drama 

could be emphatically described 

as or manifestation 

of: “state without government, 

economy without 

budget and the plan and 

democracy without the 

elections”. 

• TOPICS 

RAJU LAMA 

Within Village Nepal’s tiny 

communities interspersed 

here and there in the Himalayan 

region and the Tear-eye Plains, 

developmental perspectives apply 

broadly to the left behind or 

backward districts in the nation. 

Its inhabitants fall mostly in the 

category of women, dalit, and 

impoverished, unprivileged etc 

people dependent on agriculture; 

for this reason, INGOs and 

NGOs target this category. 

Despite the fact that the majority 

of inhabitants are dependant 

on agriculture, arable land 

is minimal, therefore, produce 

from the fields is insufficient to 

meet demands. Depending on 

the monsoon rains, the food suf- 

basic commodities like food, 

fuel and medicines. The 

government should also fully 

stop forced donations by 

unions and clubs affiliated to 

different parties or not affiliated 

to any party. The MRP scheme 

of the government should be 

cancelled. Market forces should 

decide the price automatically. 

Civil societies should be more 

vigilant on the market forces. 

Flooding the market with the 

Nepal’s economic development 

is poignant and decelerating 

and rapidly trailing 

behind other South 

Asian economies in South 

Asia attributing to growing 

inefficiency, mounting corruption 

and poor governance. 

This is a classic case 

of poverty and stagnation 

characterized by high cost 

economy, subsistence agriculture 

and alarmingly 

growing dependence due to 

built-in structural constraints 

with dwindling 

comparative advantages 

and competitive edges to 

maximize benefits from 

globalization and liberalization 

through penetrating 

neighborhood, regional and 

global markets. 

The quantum of FDI evidently 

declined from Rs. 

10.5 billion in the previous 

year to Rs. 7.14 billion in FY 

2011/12 primarily due to 

prolonged transition; earnings 

from total exports (Rs. 

74.26 billion) is deficient to 

back up the hefty importbill 

of petroleum products 

(Rs. 94.1 billion); size of 

trade deficits (Rs. 387.41 billion) 

surpassed the magnitude 

of annual budget (Rs. 

310.75 billion); capital 

spending remained inordinately 

low (56.2 per cent of 

total budget); revenues are 

buoyant but inadequate to 

supplement capital expenditures; 

investment in agri- 

Boon and bounty 

ficiency scenario at present tides 

them through three to six 

months. The alternative means 

is to find employment locally 

and, if work is unavailable locally, 

people either migrate abroad 

as laborers etc. In secluded regions, 

the current conditions 

impel them to purchase air 

freighted food and goods from 

the District Development Centre 

at exorbitant rates through the 

hard earned money they bring 

in. Lack of nutritional food stuff 

and low food sufficiency scenario 

is responsible for the high 

mother/child death rate. Remoteness 

(geographically) and 

low accessibility/transportation 

means from relevant centers, 

poverty, minimal food security 

scenario, lack of education etc 

• BLOG SURF • CARTOON 

About ‘Foreigners’ 

Why is it that every time any large-scale 

political or human issue befuddles and 

confuses us in Nepal we immediately accuse 

nebulous “foreign forces” of everything 

from simple meddling to outright sabotage?...we 

dismiss anti-Monsanto protests because 

they “seem to have a majority of 

foreigners” present. 

Get over it Nepal and grow up. 

If we want to be respected on the world 

stage, we have to learn to be secure enough in 

our own identity to not only tolerate the voices 

of foreigners, but actively solicit their advice 

and counsel when needed. If there seems 

to be a lot of foreigners in a Monsanto protest 

its because foreigners have infinitely more experience 

in dealing with Monsanto than we in 

Nepal and we should listen to their advice in 

the spirit of neighborly help and greater understanding. 

If a U.S. ambassador speaks out against a 

bandh, its because he’s seen it all before 

and knows that bandhs hurt Nepal’s 

image immeasurably in the eyes of 

the world.—nepalnow.blogspot.com 

Nepal’s economic development 

Political masters on synthetic stallion 

basic commodities by the 

private entrepreneurs should 

be allowed without any 

disturbance by the government. 

Adulteration of food and 

medicines should be seriously 

watched and systematically 

and transparently controlled. 

Laxmi Bhakta Manandhar, 

Kathmandu 

Scary 

You can avoid the reality 

but you cannot avoid the 

consequences of avoiding 

reality. Today in our society we 

can find babies are born with 

HIV/AIDS. In Nepal in 1988, 4 

people were detected with this 

virus. About 60000 people are 

estimated to be infected with 

HIV. Thousands of people have 

died worldwide and many 

others are infected. UNAIDS 

The fiscal authorities have failed to 

appropriately diagnose the economic 

discrepancies facing Nepalese economy 

and determine priorities, expedite sizable 

investments in priority areas, and 

devise prudent strategy to deal with 

existing vulnerabilities 

culture, the biggest and priority 

sector, has been minimal 

confined to 3.2 per cent 

of total resource allocations 

in FY 2011/12, and the share 

of manufacturing is below 6 

per cent of GDP. 

During the period financial 

sector witnessed a tumultuous 

environment and 

commercial banks suffered 

liquidity crunch with reversal 

of credit crunch in recent 

times. NEPSE index de- 

are the greater challenges. 

Even though raising livestock, 

fruit farming, vegetable farming 

etc are in progress to some extent, 

the people in the VDCs 

need, even demand, economic 

opportunity and sustainable development 

and management 

thereto. The literacy rate of quite 

a few VDCs remains at 0. 2 per 

cent: the majority are illiterate. 

Even in this day and age, the 

children in the dalit community 

are sent to work in other people’s 

homes etc, thereby, discriminating 

them from acquiring any education. 

Add to this the plight of 

the people with very little or no 

land at all who pursue age old 

family trades, the condition conjured 

up is the hand-to-mouth 

situation with problems to pro- 

has already declared Nepal as 

contrasted epidemic zone due 

to high growth rate of HIV 

infection. 

Ruby Khadgi, Ghattekulo, 

Kathmandu. 

Irresponsible 

Schools, colleges and other 

academic institutions which 

are established with the aim of 

providing quality education to 

students should not get affected 

with any political programs. 

However, more than 380 

including private and 

community schools of Chitwan 

were closed for a function being 

organised by the Maoists 

recently. Although the teachers 

are the members of the 

teachers’ union, their first duty 

is to work as a teacher in 

schools. Teachers of Chitwan 

clined to 389.74 in FY 

2011/12 and the prospect 

for share market with falling 

interest rate on deposits below 

the inflation rate is limited 

to impact and increased 

confidence of people resulting 

in diminishing profit at 

financial houses. The demand 

for credit is low especially 

in priority sectors due 

to increasing risks and uncertainties 

with political instability, 

and private sector 

vide for the next meal. 

When few organizations conduct 

projects for the unprivileged, 

impoverished, dalit, 

women and left behind peoples 

in the more remotely located 

VDCs to bring transformation to 

the scenario, there is a great 

need to build an effective society 

through supporting the self dependence 

of local cooperatives 

e. g. collection of share fees and 

savings, mobilization of the already 

established revolving fund 

oriented towards entrepreneurial 

endeavor, thereby, targeting 

the community to acquire employment 

opportunities, development 

of health, education 

sector etc providing quality service 

according to the needs and 

demands of the people. 

gave first priority for the 

participation in political 

program rather than their 

foremost duty. Hence, most of 

the schools remained closed. 

Parents and students faced 

inconveniences due to the 

activities of the irresponsible 

teachers. 

Similarly, human rights activists 

are protesting against it. 

but the stakeholders themselves 

are involved in it. So, it 

has raised the question as to the 

most important duty of teachers: 

Teaching or participating in 

political programs? 

Biyan Timalsina, Dillibazar, 

Kathmandu 


investment has rigid tendency 

to move with secured 

profit and safe investment. 

The fiscal authorities have 

failed to appropriately diagnose 

the economic discrepancies 

facing Nepalese 

economy and determine 

priorities, expedite sizable 

investments in priority areas, 

and devise prudent 

strategy to deal with existing 

vulnerabilities specified 

above and fight poverty, 

stagnation, and corruption. 

Nepal’s development efforts 

have been jeopardized by 

constraints comprised of 

acute shortage of power 

with increasing load shedding, 

disruption in the supply 

of petroleum products 

regularly, dilapidated roads, 

limited supply of drinking 

water, poor industrial relations, 

huge subsidies to 

SOEs with monopoly market, 

and high taxes. 

In an economy where 

GDP (US$18.6 bln.) is extremely 

diminutive with inordinately 

low GNI per capita 

(US$715) and rampant 

corruption, it is imperative 

to quadruple the national 

income and increase per 

capita income to the average 

level of middle income 

countries by 2025 ensuring 

redistributive justice. At this 

juncture, the best therapy to 

Nepalese economy requires: 

(a) improving competitiveness 

of economical- 

Letters to this column should be addressed to 

Letters C/o Edit Page Editor,The Himalayan Times, 

Post Box 11651,APCA House, 

Baidya Khana Road, Kathmandu, Nepal 

email: edit@thehimalayantimes.com, 

Fax 0977-1-4771959 

ly active population being 

54.2 per cent through inducting 

effective education, 

health and nutrition policies; 

(b) increasing productivity 

of food and cash crops 

through commercialization 

of agriculture with higher 

investment; (c) enhancing 

performance of manufacturing 

sector by creating 

congenial industrial relations 

at home; (d) ensuring 

security to workers in foreign 

employment to maximize 

remittances; (e) promoting 

exports with comparative 

advantages and 

competitive edges to global 

market with identification 

of new products; (f) attracting 

FDI especially in infrastructure 

and promoting indigenous 

investments 

through formulating a competitive 

tax structure for establishing 

both export oriented 

and import substituting 

industries; (g) encouraging 

private sector participation 

for importing petroleum 

products; and (h) mobilizing 

economic cooperation 

from neighborhood 

economies.These propositions 

would definitely help 

ensure economic prosperity 

in Nepal but conditioned to 

political wisdom, good governance, 

and the end of 

transition with emergence 

of a consensus government. 

Prof. Dahal is Chairman, 

Mega Bank Nepal Ltd. 

• THT 10 YEARS AGO 

10th Plan concept 

paper almost ready: 

NPC man 


Kathmandu, September 20, 2002 

National Planning Commission (NPC) 

member Dr Jagdish C Pokhrel today 

disclosed that the concept paper of Tenth 

Plan is almost finalised. The major objectives 

of the Tenth Plan are poverty reduction 

and economic growth. Dr Pokhrel, 

who was addressing a programme, said 

that the Tenth Plan has focused on high 

growth rate, redistributive justice and 

good governance. He said that the gap 

between the rich and the poor is increasing 

by the day. In such a situation, there is 

a need to concentrate on focused areas 

for which all sectors of society cooperate 

with each other. Dr Pokhrel highlighted 

rural development issues, strategies, sustainability 

issues, institutional arrangement 

and the role and responsibility of 

different actions. He said that by the end 

of the Ninth Plan, poverty was reduced to 

below 38 per cent. Roshani Pant, an official 

of the Rural Development Foundation 

(RDF), said the government has not 

given priority for rural development. She 

said even Non-governmental organisations 

and International non-governmental 

organisations are keeping mum while 

it comes to family planning issues in the 

rural areas.The government has laid emphasis 

on natural resource based development 

approach, identification and 

promotion of local know-how, resources 

and investing on them, affordable 

technology, energy and skill promotion 

for greater productivity in agriculture, 

decentralisation of the governing 

system and building local bodies’ 

capacity, increasing people’s participation 

in all activities. 

Joint effort stressed 

to boost tourism 


Kathmandu, September 20, 2002 

Minister for culture, tourism and civil 

aviation, Bal Bahadur KC has 

stressed on the need for the government 

and private sectors to work collectively in 

order to boost the country’s ailing 

tourism industry. “The government 

alone cannot be held accountable for the 

development of the tourism industry,” 

said KC, addressing the 24th annual general 

meeting of Trekking Agents Association 

of Nepal (TAAN) here on Saturday. 

Assuring all possible help from the government’s 

side, he added, “Private sector 

and the government should work hand in 

hand rather than competing to outdo 

one another.” 

Yangkila Sherpa, national assembly 

member and former president of TAAN 

said the country’s economic situation 

was facing serious crisis and that the 

tourism sector was in even worse condition. 

“There should be more interaction 

programmes between viable organisations 

like Trekking Agents Association of 

Nepal and the government to 

discuss possible solutions,” she said. She 

also emphasised on the need to 

publicise news in positive light to attract 

foreigners.


INTERNATIONAL 

• THE WORLD OVER 

Burns visits Libya 

Reuters 

A woman posing with a locust on 

her tongue at a discovery lunch in 

Brussels on Thursday. Organisers 

said the event wanted to draw 

attention to insects as a source of 

nutrition. 

TRIPOLI: US Deputy Secretary of 

State William Burns arrived in Tripoli 

on Thursday, a week after a deadly attack 

on the US consulate in the eastern 

Libyan city of Benghazi. Burns 

flew into the Libyan capital where he 

was due to meet new Prime Minister 

Mustafa Abu Shagour and Mohammed 

Magarief, head of the national 

congress, Libyan government 

officials said. He was also scheduled 

to attend a ceremony commemorating 

US ambassador to Libya Christopher 

Stevens, who died in last week's 

consulate attack in Benghazi, they 

said. Stevens and three other Americans 

died when gunmen attacked the 

US consulate and a safe house. — AP 

Taiwan rejigs Cabinet 

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s president has put 

two of his confidants in charge of the 

island’s relations with the United 

States and mainland China as part of 

a partial Cabinet shakeup. President 

Ma Ying-jeou’s office said on Thursday 

that Wang Yu-chi will head the 

Mainland Affairs Council and King 

Pu-tsung will be the island’s new envoy 

to the United States. Wang is a 

National Security Council adviser 

and King a veteran campaign strategist 

for the ruling Nationalists. — AP 

Russia militants killed 

MOSCOW: Russian security forces 

killed eight people including four Islamist 

insurgents in the volatile 

North Caucasus region of Kabardino- 

Balkaria on Thursday, federal authorities 

said. Police and security officers 

surrounded a home in the regional 

capital, Nalchik, and stormed it after 

the suspected militants inside refused 

to surrender and opened fire, 

the National Anti-terrorist Committee 

said in a statement. — AP 

US warns against travel to Pak 

Associated Press 

Washington, September 20 

The State Department is warning Americans 

to avoid non-essential travel to Pakistan 

as protests over an anti-Islam video 

made in the US grow and turn violent. 

The department issued an alert today. 

It’s stepping up existing advice for Americans 

to be aware of the risks of travel to 

Pakistan. It says protests and demonstrations, 

some targeting US interests, are likely 

to continue. 

The warning comes as hundreds of Pakistanis 

angry at the film clash with police in 

the capital, Islamabad. A crowd of more 

than 1,000 people tried to make their way 

to the US Embassy inside a guarded en- 

Unaware of pregnancy, 

UK soldier has baby 

Reuters 

London, September 20 

A British soldier who did 

not realise she was pregnant 

has given birth to a 

baby boy at the Camp 

Bastion field hospital in 

Afghanistan. 

The Ministry of Defence 

in London said 

mother and baby were in 

stable condition and a 

specialist ‘Paediatric Retrieval 

Team’ would fly 

out from Britain to care 

for them during the long 

flight home. “It is not 

military policy to allow 

servicewomen to deploy 

on operations if they are 

pregnant. In this instance, 

the MOD was 

unaware of her pregnancy,” 

the ministry said. 

The Daily Mail newspaper, 

which first reported 

on the birth, said the 

woman herself was unaware 

of the pregnancy. 

The Mail said the Royal 

Artillery gunner had 

conceived before her sixmonth 

stint in 

Afghanistan began. Her 

pre-deployment training 

included a 13 km march 

and 8 km run. Her job in 

the field involved providing 

covering fire for 

troops fighting insurgents. 

She was taken to 

the field hospital after 

complaining of stomach 

pains and was informed 

by doctors that she was 

about to give birth, the 

Mail said, citing military 

sources. 

“This is a unique occurrence, 

but my team is 

well-rehearsed in the 

unexpected and they 

adapted brilliantly to 

this situation,” said Lieutenant 

Colonel Andrea 

Lewis, commanding officer 

of the field hospital, 

quoted by the Mail. “I 

am pleased to report the 

mother and baby are doing 

well and we are all 

delighted at the outcome.” 

Highest civilian honour 

for Suu Kyi in America 


Washington, September 20 

US lawmakers presented Myanmar 

democracy leader Aung San 

Suu Kyi with Congress’ highest 

civilian honour in a ceremony in 

the Capitol Rotunda, prompting 

Suu Kyi to declare it ‘one of the 

most moving days of my life’. 

She was awarded the Congressional 

Gold Medal in 2008 while 

under a 15-year house arrest for 

her peaceful struggle against 

military rule. Her long-awaited 

visit to America finally provided 

an opportunity for her to receive 

the honour in person in Congress’ 

most majestic setting, beneath 

the dome of the Capitol and 

ringed by marble statues of former 

presidents. 

The 67-year-old Nobel laureate 

said it was worth the years of waiting, 

being honoured “in a house undivided, 

a house joined together to welcome 

a stranger from a distant land.” 

Previous recipients of the medal in- 

clude George Washington, Tibetan 

Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama and 

Pope John Paul II. 

She then met privately at the White 

House with President Barak Obama, 

another winner of the Nobel Peace 

Prize. They appeared relaxed and 

were smiling as they talked in the 

Oval Office. Neither made formal 

comments to the photographers 

gathered to briefly witness the meeting. 

Obama ‘expressed his admiration 

for her courage, determination 

and personal sacrifice in championing 

democracy and human rights 

over the years’, according to a statement 

from the White House. 

The White House said the president 

‘reaffirmed the determination of 

the United States to support their 

sustained efforts to promote political 

and economic reforms and to ensure 

full protection of the fundamental 

rights of the Burmese people’. 

At the medal ceremony, House and 

Senate leaders joined Secretary of 

State Hillary Rodham Clinton in paying 

tribute to Suu Kyi. Speaker after 

clave that houses embassies and government 

offices. Riot police used tear gas and 

batons to keep stone-throwing demonstrators 

away. 

Islamabad police official Mohammed 

Iqbal said the crowd numbered more than 

1,000 people and most of them were students. 

Television footage of the demonstrations 

today showed police using tear 

gas and batons to try to keep demonstrators 

away from a restricted enclave that 

houses government offices and embassies. 

The government lined up hundreds of 

shipping containers to cordon off the enclave 

that is also home to the US Embassy. 

Iqbal says students were trying to make 

their way to the American embassy, but 

police were holding them back. 

speaker at the medal ceremony 

marvelled that this 

was moment they thought 

they would never see: Suu 

Kyi before them, not only 

free but herself now a lawmaker. 

“It’s almost too delicious 

to believe, my friend,” 

said Clinton, “that you are 

Ex-junta inspired by West Wing, says Clinton 

WASHINGTON: Myanmar’s former generals 

have looked to American television for tips on 

how to build a democracy. US Secretary of 

State Hillary Rodham Clinton drew laughter 

on Wednesday in Washington as she recounted 

a conversation with Myanmar’s lower house 

speaker from her historic visit to the country 

last year. Clinton said: He said to me, ‘Help us 

learn how to be a democratic congress, a Par- 

AP / RSS 

US President Barack Obama talking to Myanmar democracy 

leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the Oval Office on Wednesday. 

in the Rotunda of our Capitol, 

the centrepiece of our 

democracy as an elected 

member of parliament.” 

Lawmakers talked about 

years of working together 

across party lines on the behalf 

of Suu Kyi’s democracy 

movement. 

liament. He went on to tell me that they were 

trying to teach themselves by watching old 

segments of The West Wing.’ Clinton smiled: ‘I 

said, ‘I think we can do better than that Mr 

Speaker’.’ The drama about a fictional US president’s 

inner-circle stopped broadcasting in 

2006, while Myanmar’s junta was still in power. 

Clinton spoke at an event honoring Myanmar’s 

Aung San Suu Kyi. — AP 

Allies use power of purse in bid 

to isolate regime of Syrian prez 


Scheveningen, September 20 

A coalition including the 

United States, the European 

Union and the Arab League 

met today to plot new ways 

of isolating the regime of Syria’s 

President Bashar Assad, 

as a Syrian opposition leader 

warned that sanctions alone 

won’t bring the regime down. 

The group called ‘Friends 

of the Syrian People’ was set 

up in February after the UN 

Security Council was unable 

to reach agreement on a resolution 

condemning Syria’s 

government, due to opposition 

from Russia and China. 

Today, financial experts 

joined representatives of the 

group at their meeting in The 

Hague, Netherlands, to help 

Chopper clips tail of passenger jet 

BEIRUT: A Syrian military 

helicopter clipped the tail 

of a Syrian passenger jet 

with 200 people aboard in 

mid-air on Thursday, but 

the aircraft landed safely 

and no one aboard was 

hurt, Syria’s state TV said. 

The helicopter crashed 

near the capital of Damascus, 

though it was not clear 

if there were any casualties 

in that crash or what had 

led the two aircraft to 

touch in mid-air. In today’s 

incident, the helicopter’s 

rotor clipped the tail of a 

Syrian Arab Airlines jet, the 

state TV said. The passen- 

ger plane ‘landed safely at 

the airport and none of the 

200 passengers were 

harmed’, the report said. 

The helicopter crashed 

southeast of Douma, a 

Damascus suburb that has 

witnessed repeated military 

crackdowns to purge 

fighters seeking to topple 

Assad. No further details 

were made available. “We 

heard the sound of several 

explosions and some gunfire, 

and a few minutes later, 

we were told that a helicopter 

had crashed,” said 

Mohammad Saeed, an activist 

in Douma. — AP 

PAGE 9 

member countries understand 

how Syria may be using 

dual-use technologies and 

front companies to get 

around the existing sanctions, 

which include an embargo 

on oil and arms trade 

with Syria by participating 

nations. Twelve more countries 

have joined the 60member 

coalition, committing 

also to block Syrian financial 

transactions, and enforce 

a travel ban on the 

country’s top leaders. 

The uprising against the 

Syrian government began in 

March 2011. The United Nations 

estimates that at least 

18,000 people have been 

killed as a result of the fighting, 

most of them civilians. 

More than 1.5 million people 

have been displaced, many 

fleeing as refugees to neighbouring 

countries such as 

Turkey and Jordan. 

Dutch Foreign Minister Uri 

Rosenthal said the sanctions 

are having an effect, despite 

non-participation by Russia, 

China and Iran, citing sharp 

fall in Syria’s oil exports. “The 

EU took 90 per cent of Syria’s 

oil,” before the sanctions 

were applied, he said.


Business 

Govt to provide Rs 50 million loan to import sugar 

KATHMANDU: The cash-strapped National 

Trading Corporation Limited that had been 

in talks with private banks for loans to buy 

sugar for the festive season, will receive Rs 50 

million from the government. The cabinet 

meeting today has decided to provide it Rs 50 

million to import sugar for the festive season. 

The country needs about 250,000 metric 

tonnes of sugar every year but domestic production 

is about 160,000 metric tonnes. The 

shortfall of about 90,000 metric tonnes 

is managed through imports. However, the 

Department of Commerce and Supply Management 

has estimated that there will be a 

shortfall of about only 79,000 metric tonnes 

in the current fiscal year. — HNS 



The Public Enterprises Directorate 

Board has said that it will seek possible 

options to start operating productive 

public enterprises (PE). 

Following a directive from prime 

minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, today, 

to operate those corporations 

that could be productive, the board 

will study whether the government 

can operate them or not, said chairman 

of the board Bimal Wagle. 

The board will invite private players 

to operate them if the government 

cannot operate them in a 

competitive manner, he said, 

adding that it is better to let the private 

sector operate these enterprises 

than to shut them down. “Competitiveness 

is the basic need for 

business and the board wants to 

run the public entities in a competitive 

manner.” Bhattarai, in today’s 

meeting, had directed the concerned 

government agencies to 

look at the possibilities of running 

public enterprises that have high 

productive value. “All agencies 

should be serious on utilising the 

resources invested in public enterprises,” 

said Bhattarai. 

The board’s focus is to operate 

those public entities which have 

high potential and can contribute 

to the domestic economy, said Wagle. 

“The board may invite competitive 

private players to operate such 

closed enterprises.” 

Meanwhile, the board has hailed 

the concern of locals, farmers and 

representatives of different political 


PM seeks to reopen productive PEs 



The Department of Money 

Laundering Investigation 

has said that it will soon 

file cases against 20 persons 

involved in the misappropriation 

of Indian 

Currency (IC) through 

ATM facilities. 

The amount defrauded 

through ATM facilities is 

not very high, said director 

at the department Bishwa 

Prakash Subedi. “However, 

the department has decided 

to file cases against the 

fraudsters as a ‘shock therapy’ 

to control similar 

types of fraudulent activities 

in the future. 

The department has 

brought 20 persons in- 

The board’s focus is to operate 

those public entities which 

have high potential and 

can contribute to the 

domestic economy 

Dept to file cases related to IC 

misappropriation through ATMs 

volved in foreign currency 

misappropriation under 

its net after it found business 

people in the bordering 

districts involved in 

withdrawing Indian Currency 

through ATM facilities 

and selling it in the 

domestic market at a higher 

rate. 

Banks are allowed to 

provide the facility of withdrawing 

up to IRs 25,000 a 

day through ATM facilities 

in India, according to him. 

“Some entrepreneurs in 

the bordering districts 

were involved in misusing 

the provision by selling Indian 

Currency in the black 

market during its scarcity.” 

Such practice is illegal 

according to the Anti Money 

Laundering Act, Subedi 

informed, adding that all 

the accused will have to 

face action under the Act. 

Meanwhile, the number 

of cases filed at the department 

for investigation has 

increased to 90. 

The department will 

gradually settle all cases, 

said Subedi, adding that 

the investigation of cases 

related to money laundering 

will be easy once the 

government amends the 

existing Act. 

The government has 

formed a committee led by 

joint secretary at the Ministry 

of Law, Justice, Constituent 

Assembly and Parliamentary 

Affairs to recommend 

the government 

to amend the Money 

Laundering Act. 



The first board meeting of 

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) 

after the reinstatement of its 

board members has decided 

to use 25 per cent of the budget 

of 2011-12. 

“NTB had a budget of Rs 

380 million in the last fiscal 

year, and the board meeting 

yesterday decided to use 25 

per cent from last fiscal 

year’s budget,” said director 

at NTB Aditya Baral. 

“We can now start our regular 

plans and programmes 

related to tourism promotion 

and marketing with 25 

percent of the budget,” he 

said. NTB has estimated a 

budget of around Rs 500 million 

for fiscal year 2012-13. 

parties regarding the operation of 

Birgunj Sugar Mills. 

The government had tried to operate 

the mill in the past too, said 

Wagle, adding that the board will 

take a solid initiative to resume its 

operations. It has listed 39 public 

enterprises under the recently 

formed Public Enterprises Directorate 

Board. The government had 

decided to dissolve the state-owned 

sugar factory — Birgunj Sugar Mills 

— in 2007 citing lack of profit. Due 

to its closure, farmers of Parsa district 

are forced to take their sugarcane 

— which amounts to 50,000 

metric tonnes — for crushing to 

nearby districts. 

NTB board to use 25pc 

of last fiscal’s budget 

“We are waiting for the estimated 

budget of Rs 500 

million for the current fiscal 

year to be endorsed,” he 

said, adding that it will be 

endorsed by the board meeting 

very soon. 

He also informed about 

plans to increase the 

Tourism Service Charge that 

is Rs 500 at present. “We have 

already received permission 

from the government to increase 

it to Rs 1,000, but due 

to the tourism promotion 

campaign in 2011 we were 

not able to do so,” he said. 

However, now the board 

meeting is expected to ratify 

it, he added. The next board 

meeting will also inform 

about the launch of a new 

mechanism and promotional 

programmes for NTB.


BUSINESS 

NRB asks traders to stop giving loans 

Banking law provides only financial institutions the right to do so 



Traders involved in selling 

automobiles, electronic appliances 

and gadgets have 

been formally forbidden by 

the central bank to provide 

loans to buyers. 

Companies that provide 

loans to customers to make 

sales both directly or 

through subsidiaries have 

been asked by Nepal Rastra 

Bank (NRB) to stop doing so 

and leave lending activities 

to financial institutions. 

“The Banking Act has 

strictly spelt out that activities 

like collecting deposits 

and providing loans can be 

done by licensed financial 

institutions only, and no 

seller can provide hire-pur- 

Syakar launches 

Honda CBR 1000RR 

KATHMANDU: Syakar Trading — 

the sole authorised distributor of 

Honda motorcycles in Nepal — 

added a new premium bike, the 

‘Honda CBR 1000RR’, to its fleet of 

premium motorcycles. The bike 

was unveiled by finance minister 

Barshaman Pun at the NADA Auto 

Show yesterday. Priced at Rs 2.65 

million, the Honda CBR 1000RR, 

has sharper looks, stronger performance 

and astoundingly responsive 

control, it claimed, adding, 

“From its compact new proportions 

to its breathtaking response to 

every rider input, everything about 

the new CBR 1000RR Fireblade 

stakes out a new standard in motor- 

Businesses serious 

in utilising natural 

resources: Swan 



Big global corporations are 

coming forward to save the 

planet as governments are 

short-lived, according to a 

polar explorer, an environmental 

leader and the first 

person in history to walk 

unsupported to the North 

and South Poles, and also 

an exceptionally 

gifted and 

natural 

communicator, 

Robert 

Swan. 

These industries and 

businesses — that are 

more powerful than governments 

— have taken 

the issue of utilising natural 

resources seriously and 

are trying to do the right 

things by helping people 

use resources like energy, 

water and recycling intelligently 

that can save the 

mother earth, says Swan, 

who is regarded by many as 

one of the world’s top motivational 

speakers. 

His experiences from the 

past 25 years have evolved 

into an exceptional and 

dramatic story of success, 

failure, the ability to learn 

from one’s mistakes and ultimately, 

inspiring others 

to pursue their dreams. 

Though the unmanaged 

natural resources could 

also ignite conflicts, let’s try 

to be positive on the whole 

issue, he says, adding that 

we need to take the right 

AGM clearance procedure 

KATHMANDU: Nepal 

Rastra Bank (NRB) has introduced 

the AGM Clearance 

and Dividend Working 

Procedures for commercial 

banks that spells 

out the conditions and 

provisions regarding dividend 

declarations. Banks 

need to get their financials 

approved by NRB before 

getting it published to 

avoid any changes due to 

adjustments after being 

chase loans to customers,” 

said spokesperson of NRB 

Bhaskar Mani Gyanwali. 

Most automobile dealers, 

and electronic appliances 

• BRAND WATCH 

steps in the direction to 

save energy and water, and 

making use of solar power 

that is clean energy. 

“Solar panels could be 

the next big business for 

India and China,” says 

Swan, who opines that in 

another 50 years, the oil 

wells might dry up and 

people will start thinking of 

exporting the power of solar 

energy. 

Swan, 

who thinks 

that educating 

and 

inspiring 

employees 

will help companies grow, 

emphasises on the importance 

of inspiration, leadership 

and teamwork. 

He thinks that a leader 

with a vision and a plan, 

and delivering on that plan 

can make a difference. “But 

sustainable development 

and growth should go 

hand-in-hand,” according 

to him, “And industries and 

businesses are trying to 

take up the mantle in sustainable 

development.” 

He is invited by companies 

around the globe like 

BP, Coca-Cola, Akzo Nobel, 

Shell, Credit Suisse, Nokia, 

Unilever, Philips, HSBC, 

HP and many more to inspire 

their new and established 

employees. 

Swan, who is in Nepal for 

the ‘Coca Cola Live Positively’ 

event, has a suggestion 

for the mountaineers. 

“Please do not litter the 

mountains and keep them 

clean to save earth.” 

published. Likewise, financial 

institutions are allowed 

to declare cash dividend 

only if commercial 

banks have capital adequacy 

of 11 per cent, development 

banks and finance 

companies with 12 

per cent and microfinance 

institutions with 

nine per cent. Financial 

institutions cannot give 

dividends if their net 

worth is negative. — HNS 

cycle performance and design aesthetics 

that will stand as a milestone 

in the history of litre-class Super 

Sports development.” The bike is 

also a winner both on the street 

and on the track. The bike represents 

the current evolution from the 

CBR 954RR, CBR 929RR and CBR 

900RR sport bikes that came before 

it. Also known as the Fireblade, it is 

a 998cc (60.9 cu in) liquid-cooled 

inline four-cylinder sport bike that 

was introduced in 2004 to replace 

the CBR 954RR. — HNS 

Suzuki Ertiga and 

new Swift Dzire out 

KATHMANDU: CG Automobile — 

the sole authorised distributor of 

Maruti Suzuki cars in Nepal — 

launched two new cars — Suzuki 

Ertiga and Suzuki Swift Dzire — at 

the NADA Auto Show 2012, yesterday. 

Suzuki Ertiga has a 1.4 litre engine 

and is a seven-seater Multipurpose 

Utility Vehicle. The all-new 

stylish Ertiga is powerful, has responsive 

engine, advanced technology 

for better performance, er- 

and gadgets suppliers often 

sell products in easy installments, 

and people with 

steady incomes can buy the 

goods without having to pay 

an initial lump sum. 

The central bank has also 

extended the deadline till 

mid-July 2014 for directors, 

chief executives and top 

management officials of financial 

institutions to adjust 

the loans already taken. 

However, they can obtain 

personal loans, education 

loans, home loans, hirepurchase 

loans, loans 

against government securities, 

and credit card loans. 

In the Unified Directives 

2069, NRB has forbidden a 

financial institution to forward 

loans to directors, 

chief executives and top 

management officials of 

other financial institutions 

to minimise their risk taking 

behaviour. The decision had 

raised quite a furore in the 

gonomically designed 5+2 flexiseating, 

and happy interiors with 

high quality upholstery, the company 

said, adding that the vehicle has 

been designed to carry seven people 

in a three-row layout. “It ensures 

comfort and space for every passenger.” 

The first-of-its-kind vehicle, 

with a long wheelbase, high 

headroom and careful positioning 

of the seating, it provides ample 

space in every row. The versatility 

provided by different passenger and 

luggage combinations makes the 

Ertiga ideal for everything from a 

shopping spree at the mart to a 

family road trip. The introductory 

price for three variants, LXi, VXi and 

ZXi, has been fixed at Rs 2.90 million, 

Rs 3.20 million and Rs 3.50 million, 

respectively. 

Similarly, the reloaded Maruti 

banking community. 

Moreover, NRB has also 

forbidden auditors or an auditing 

firm partnered by a 

majority shareholder with 

more than one per cent 

stake in a financial institution 

to audit the financial 

institutions’ borrowing firm 

or individuals. “This provision 

will remove incidences 

regarding conflict of interest 

among auditors and the 

companies being audited,” 

pointed out Gyanwali. 

NRB has allowed class ‘D’ 

financial institutions to 

work as insurance agents 

for member borrowers provided 

they get a licence 

from Insurance Board. The 

move will help in marketing 

microinsurance products 

among rural population. 

Suzuki Swift Dzire comes with a 1.2 

litre petrol engine and is ultra-comfort, 

has captivating good looks, and 

all the power and efficiency one desires.The 

car’s compact body comes 

packed with performance features 

and thoughtful conveniences that 

make each drive unforgettable. The 

vehicle has spacious interiors and 

has been designed keeping the 

highest standards of safety in mind. 

Price of new Dzire has been fixed at 

Rs 2.59 million for VXi and Rs 2.89 

for the ZXi variants, respectively. 

Ford’s pickup truck ‘Ranger’ being 

launched at the opening day of 

the NADA Auto Show 2012 at 

Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, on 

Wednesday. 



Nepal’s first credit rating 

agency — Icra Nepal — has 

received the final approval 

to start operations from 

the regulator — Securities 

Board of Nepal (Sebon). 

“Meeting on Monday approved 

the company for operation, 

and only handing 

over the licence formally is 

yet to be done,” said director 

of Sebon Niraj Giri. 

The regulator had conducted 

the inspection of the 

infrastructure of the aspiring 

rating agency as the final 

stage of assessment for licence, 

in July. It had applied 

for the final licence about 

three months back after finalising 

its set up. Icra Nepal 

Ltd was granted the Letter of 

Intent to undertake the 

process to start a credit rating 

agency in Nepal by Sebon 

in August 2011. 

India’s Icra Ltd will have 

55 per cent stake in Icra 

Nepal while remaining stake 

is held by Credit Information 

Bureau, Himalayan Infrastructure 

Fund, and a few 

Nepali banks. Credit Rating 

Agency Regulation 2068 

states a foreign credit rating 

agency must have at least 25 

per cent stake in a Nepali 

credit rating agency. 

The credit rating agencies 

rate credit worthiness and 

financial soundness of an 

entity — individual, company 

or country — based on 

their financial indicators. 

The credit ratings are supposed 

to be a simple, yet effective 

indicator aiding ordinary 

investors to understand 

the risks involved in 

the investment process. 

Regulation says companies 

planning to issue ordinary 

shares, bonds, debentures, 

or preference shares 

exceeding Rs 30 million in 

value have to get themselves 

rated by a rating agency. 

PAGE 11 

First credit rating 

agency gets approval Himalayan News Service 

RBS plans to 

give dividend 


Rastriya Beema Sansthan 

(RBS) has announced that it 

will hold its annual general 

meeting (AGM) on October 

10, and also provide dividends 

of three fiscal years. 

The state-owned life and 

non-life insurer has announced 

its plan to distribute 

39 per cent bonus shares 

for fiscal year 2003-04 and 

2004-05, and 15 per cent for 

2005-06. The AGM will need 

to approve the distribution. 

The company will conduct 

its AGM after getting its financials 

audited this year. It 

had not audited its balance 

sheets since fiscal year 2003- 

04, due to instable management 

and bad corporate 

governance. It has not conducted 

an AGM for the last 

nine years. During its 45th 

anniversary, administrator 

Omkar Nidhi Tiwari had announced 

it will audit its balance 

sheets and hold AGM.


Sports 

Bhola salvages draw for Nepal 



Bhola Silwal scored a second 

goal as Nepal salvaged a 1-1 

draw with Bangladesh in an 

international friendly match 

here today. 

It was the 14th encounter 

between the two teams but 

the first friendly. The stalemate 

was also the first between 

the two sides. Of the 

13 previous encounters, 

Nepal have won four and lost 

nine against Bangladesh. 

Bhola scored from the 

area, pouncing on a fumble 

from goalkeeper Mohammed 

Maksudur Rahman 

in the 61st minute to cancel 

out Zahid Hossain’s 42nd 

minute strike. 

It was the second international 

goal for Bhola, who 

made national team debut 

during the AFC Challenge 

Cup final round match 

against DPR Korea at the 

Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad 

on August 2, 2008. 

Bhola had earlier scored in 

Nepal’s 5-0 rout of Timor 

Leste in the FIFA World Cup 

Asia Zone Qualifiers second 

leg match on home soil on 

July 2 last year. Earlier, Zahid 

converted a 18-yard freekick 

to stun the home crowd 

three minutes before break. 

Nepal coach Krishna Thapa 

lamented on the lack of 

concentration from his players 

especially in the first half. 

“The result would have been 

Udipt Singh Chhetry / THT 

Bhola Silwal (centre) of Nepal celebrates scoring an 

equaliser against Bangladesh during their friendly match 

at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday. 

different had not Jaggu (Jagjeet) 

squandered an early 

chance,” said Thapa adding 

his boys could only find their 

feet in the later half. 

Bangladesh coach Saiful 

Bari Titu termed the performance 

as evenly matched. 

“We were alert not to concede 

an early goal after evaluating 

Nepal’s game in the 

opening period,” said Titu. 

Rookie Bimal 

makes debut 

KATHMANDU: An 

ANFA Academy forward 

Bimal Gharti Magar 

made an impressive national 

team debut in 

their 1-1 draw with 

Bangladesh in a friendly 

match here on Thursday. 

The U-14 player 

was picked up ahead of 

experienced trio of Jumanu 

Rai, Santosh 

Sahukhala and Anil Gurung 

and was paired 

with Bharat Khawas. He 

was only replaced in the 

55th minute by Jumanu. 

“Its good to see him 

playing at this level,” 

said Nepal coach Krishna 

Thapa. “At a time 

when the experienced 

strikers are struggling to 

score, providing him the 

opportunity was worth 

an experiment,” added 

Thapa. — HNS 

• TIME OUT 

Players depart 

KATHMANDU: Binod 

Shakya and Prakash Kumar 

Chand left for Germany on 

Thursday to participate in 

the German Open Karate 

Championship scheduled 

for September 22-23. Binod 

will compete in the 85kg 

while Prakash will fight in 

75kg kumite events. President 

of Nepal Shito-ryu 

Karate-Do Association and 

Nepal Karate-Do Federation 

Dawa Gurung bade 

farewell to the players. – HNS 

TIA advance 

KATHMANDU: Hosts Bagmati 

and TIA advanced to 

the girls’ semi-finals of the 

third Bagmati Inter-school 

Basketball Tournament 

on Thursday. Bagmati 

edged Valley Public 24-23 

and TIA saw off Daffodil 

23-16. Deep Jyoti beat 

Greenland 50-37, Daffodil 

defeated Golden Peak 39-34 

and Gyan Niketan dispatched 

Valley Public 31-29 

to make it to the boys’ section 

quarter-finals. – HNS 

Radiant in semis 

KATHMANDU: RIBS and 

Radiant Public made it to 

the semi-finals of the Radiant 

Inter-school Boys Basketball 

Tournament on 

Thursday. RIBS beat Greenfield 

55-24 and Radiant saw 

off Nawa Jyoti 40-27. Wilson 

Academy and Zenith also 

entered the last four with 

the former seeing off Mt 

Glory 52-8 and the latter 

getting the better of Heartland 

41-8. — HNS 

Mana through 

KATHMANDU: Mana Bahadur 

Budhathoki and 

Anupam Neupane earned 

the men’s singles semi-final 

berths at the Bishalnagar 

Open Badminton Tournament 

on Thursday. Joining 

them in the last four were 

Nir Bikram Devkota and 

Pujan Shrestha. Making 

it to the men’s doubles 

semi-finals were Umesh 

Gurung/Khem Burja, Ujjwol 

Dahal/Srijan Tamrakar 

and Datta Thapa/Ram Krishna 

Prajapati. — HNS 

Subash Yonjan 


Aminul claims title 

Charikot, September 20 

Bangladeshi FIDE Master 

(FM) Aminul Islam won 

the Mount Gaurishankar 

International Chess Tournament 

here today. 

The 2268-rated 

Bangladeshi remained unbeaten 

throughout the 

tournament with 8.5 

points. He played a draw 

against Nepal’s Rajendra 

Prasad Shrestha in the 10th 

and final round. Of the total 

cash purse of Rs 202,000, 

Animul received Rs 30,000. 

Australian 2411-rated International 

Master (IM) 

Aleksander Wohl defeated 

Nepal’s FIDE Master Manish 

Hamal to finish second 

with eight points in tie 

breaker after he was tied 

with 2332-rated Indian IM 

Atanu Lahiri, who defeated 

former Nepal champion 

Surbir Lama. 

FM Bilam Lal Shrestha, 

Candidate Master Keshav 

Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad 

Shrestha and Badri Lal 

Nepali all scored 7.5 points 

and finished from fourth to 

seventh respectively in tie 

breaker. Bilam defeated India’s 

Souvik Chakraborty, 

Keshav beat Madan Krishna 

Kayastha. Badri outplayed 

the 10-year-old Indian 

player Saurabh Anand. 

Ashutosh Kumar and 

Narayan Gaha claimed the 

top two spots in unrated 

section, while Madan Krishna 

finished first among 

1999-2099 rating. Likewise, 

Saurabh Anand (1751- 

1899), Abhisekh Sonu 

(1600-1750) and Nepal’s 

Bharat Dhimal (below 

1600) claimed top prize in 

their rating sections. 

Seraoungju Sherpa, Deepak 

Dahal and Bikram Dhoj 

Shrestha claimed top three 

spots among the locals. 

Ganesh Man Duwal won 

the veteran section award, 

whereas Rahul Gurung of 

Sikkim bagged the U-10 

section trophy. Sonkalam 

Bharati and Raunak Mandal 

won the U-13 and U-17 

section trophies respectively. 

Sinjini Biswas of India 

and Anusa Pandey of Nepal 

claimed top two positions 

in women’s section.


Proteas hammer Zimbabwe 


Hambantota, September 20 

Jacques Kallis produced 

the best economical bowling 

performance by a 

South African in the 20over 

format with 4-15 as 

the Proteas hammered 

Zimbabwe by 10 wickets 

in the World Twenty20 on 

Thursday. 

The defeat eliminated 

Zimbabwe from the tournament 

in Group C after 

they lost the first match by 

82 runs against Sri Lanka. 

Kallis led the seam attack 

and restricted Zimbabwe 

to 93-8 and South 

Africa openers Richard 

Levi (50) and Hashim 

Amla (32) eased to 94-0 in 

only 12.4 overs. 

South Africa will meet 

Sri Lanka in the last Group 

C match on Saturday with 

both teams already qualified 

for the Super Eights. 

Earlier, Kallis took 4-15 

to help restrict Zimbabwe 



ISME Pvt Ltd took the Mini 

Golf (Corporate) lead after the second 

day of The Himalayan Times 

Indoor Challenge 

here at the Putt Putt 

Mini Golf in Civil 

Mall today. 

The ISME team 

scored two-over 44 

over 18 holes in the 

par-42 indoor 

putting facility, 

pushing the first-day 

leaders Manang 

Trust — who had 

scored two-over on 

Wednesday — to 

second position. 

Chuskee, who also 

had scored 45 on the first day, are 

third in the standing. 

In Simulator Challenge, Bishnu 

Sharma played a round of sevenover 

to take the lead. In the nine- 

AP / RSS 

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (centre) celebrates after 

dismissing Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine during their 

World Twenty20 match in Hambantota on Thursday. 

to below 100. Kallis got rid 

of Stuart Matsikenyeri (11) 

and Elton Chigumbura (0) 

with successive deliveries 

and returned to have 

Graeme Cremer and topscorer 

Craig Ervine (37) 

caught behind. 

Ervine hit four of the six 

boundaries in Zimbabwe 

innings as all the South 

African seamers got ap- 

preciable bounce and 

pace. Morkel brothers 

Morne and Albie caused 

the early damage after 

South Africa won the toss 

and opted to field first. 

The pair reduced Zimbabwe 

to 16-3 before 

Kallis bowled a doublewicket 

maiden over. Only 

Ervine put up any resistance 

and shared a 35- 

ISME take lead after second day 

hole competition played at the Augusta 

Course, PB Gurung finished 

at 12-over to stay second. 

Overnight leader Phintso Ongdi 

and Prabhat Gurung shared the 

third position at 13-over. 

A total of 26 teams 

from corporate 

houses are taking 

part in the Mini Golf, 

while 46 players 

from Gokarna Golf 

Club and Royal 

Nepal Golf Club are 

vying for the trophy 

in Simulator section. 

Top three teams in 

Mini Golf will receive 

Samsung 

Galaxy Tab2, Samsung 

Galaxy Y and 

Samsung Star3 Duos 

respectively. Likewise, top three 

players in Simulator category will 

be awarded with Tag Heuer watch, 

Samsung LCD television and trip 

to Nagarkot package respectively. 

run, fourth-wicket stand 

with Matsikenyeri before 

Kallis broke through with 

his twin strikes. 

Morne clean bowled 

Visu Sibanda off his fourth 

delivery and then had 

captain Brendan Taylor 

caught behind in the next 

over — one of the four 

catches for South African 

skipper and wicketkeeper 

AB de Villiers. 

Zimbabwe were 51-3 

midway through the innings 

before Kallis inflicted 

further suffering — taking 

two more wickets 

without the African side 

adding to their total. 

Dale Steyn was also rewarded 

for his pace bowling 

(1-9) when he had 

Prosper Utseya caught behind 

in his last over. 

It was Zimbabwe's second 

lowest ever score in 

Twenty20s — surpassing 

their total of 84 against 

New Zealand at Guyana a 

the 2010 World Twenty20. 

Uma Bista / THT 

Rabindra Man Shrestha takes a shot 

during The Himalayan Times Indoor 

Golf Challenge at the Putt Putt Mini 

Golf in Civil Mall on Thursday. 


SPORTS 

Messi rescues 

Barcelona as 

Chelsea throw 

away lead 


Paris, September 20 

Chelsea opened the defense of 

the Champions League title by 

throwing away a commanding 

lead to draw 2-2 against Italian 

champion Juventus, while 

Barcelona needed two late goals 

from superstar Lionel Messi to 

win 3-2 against Spartak Moscow. 

Brazilian midfielder Oscar 

marked his first start for Chelsea 

with two long-range goals, but 

Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back 

close to halftime and substitute 

Fabio Quagliarella equalised late 

on. Shakhtar Donetsk’s comfortable 

2-0 win against Danish 

debutant Nordsjaelland took the 

Ukrainian side top of Group E. 

In Group G, four-time champion 

Barcelona had Messi to thank 

as the Argentina forward took his 

season tally to 10 goals in seven 

games courtesy of a devastating 

10-minute spell at Camp Nou. 

Cristian Tello opened the scoring 

for Barca in the 14th minute, before 

Dani Alves’ own goal in the 

29th and Romulo’s strike in the 

59th gave the visitors an unexpected 

advantage. 

But Messi tapped in Tello’s 

pass in the 71st and headed in 

Alexis Sanchez’s cross in the 80th 

to keep Barca undefeated in their 

last 17 home games in Europe. 

In the other group match, 

Celtic created little in a 0-0 draw 

with Benfica. Manchester United 

made a good start following 

Michael Carrick’s seventhminute 

goal, but failed to impress 

in a 1-0 win against 

Galatasaray. Nani missed a second-half 

penalty as United struggled 

to get going at Old Trafford. 

Romanian side CFR Cluj 

moved top of Group H after winning 

2-0 at Braga from two firsthalf 

goals by Rafael Bastos. Bayern 

Munich missed a late penalty 

in their 2-1 win against Valencia 

in Group F. Belarusian champion 

BATE Borisov won 3-1 at Lille in 

the other Group F match. 

KATHMANDU: Deneb, HEMS, Pennwood 

and Suryodaya entered the third PABSON 

Mid-region Cup Inter-school Basketball 

Tournament semi-finals on Thursday. In the 

boys’ section, Deneb beat Kathmandu English 

School (KES) 47-31, HEMS saw off Anan- 

PAGE 13 

Deneb, HEMS, Pennwood , Suryodaya enter semi-finals 

da Bhumi 27-14, Pennwood overcame Asian 

Public 41-21 and Suryodaya edged Marvellous 

32-27. In the girls’ section, Deneb beat 

Maitidevi 6-5, HEMS dispatched Asian Public 

18-7, Pennwood defeated Suryodaya 28-6 

and KES eased past Marvellous 19-2. — HNS


THTgreen green 

Conservation the superstar way 

LONDON: European targets 

to replace fossil fuels 

with biofuels are contributing 

to spikes in 

food prices and global hunger, 

according to the latest analysis 

by Oxfam. 

The aid organisation is calling 

for EU energy ministers meeting 

in Cyprus on September 24 to 

scrap mandates that commit 

member states to sourcing 10 

per cent of transport energy 

from renewable sources by 2020. 

It has calculated that the land required 

to meet these mandates 

for biofuels for European cars for 

one year could feed 127 million 

people. 

A draft proposal leaked last 

week suggested the European 

commission was considering 

capping biofuel mandates at five 

per cent by 2020, in recognition 

Sharada Adhikari 

Kathmandu 

He played a forest 

ranger in a 2011 

Nepali movie Dharma. 

Superstar of 

Nepali films, Rajesh 

Hamal has “many times performed 

the part of forester and ranger” in 

reel life. But now, he has turned to a 

real life ranger who advocates for 

conservation of wildlife including 

“endangered species of Nepal”. 

On the occasion of third Global 

Tiger Day, Hamal was appointed 

the Goodwill Ambassador of WWF 

Nepal and since then he has taken 

the responsibility of “creating 

awareness among public in the 

conservation sector” of Nepal. 

Real life 

conservation 

Being a movie star, Hamal has a 

huge fan base in Nepal. And these 

fans are closely observing each activity 

of this megastar. The way he 

works to strengthen the conservation 

sector of Nepal, will definitely 

have an impact upon his followers. 

So, how will this celebrity be 

working to make his efforts of conservation 

impactful? Being associated 

with WWF Nepal, “I will be 

working in programmes of different 

phases” and various formal 

events. “I will be attending an 

event to be organised at City Hall 

on National Conservation Day on 

September 24,” reveals Hamal who 

is currently working on a TV commercial 

on animal protection. 

But whatever programme he is 

working for, the ultimate intention 

“is to create public awareness on 

issues of conservation”. 

And Hamal feels every personality 

has duties they need to fulfil towards 

society. “Be it celebrity or the 

public, their contribution in a particular 

sector has great value,” argues 

Hamal whose dedication to 

environment is really noteworthy. 

As mentioned earlier, he has performed 

the role of rangers who 

“even caught many poachers of endangered 

species in movies”. But 

the way things operate differ in real 

life, as per Hamal. 

“Things change dramatically in 

movies. Those working for conservation 

in movies are usually shown 

becoming successful in their mission 

at one point. The poachers 

and wildlife criminal lose and the 

saviours of environment win.” 

of fears that they compete with 

food production and are not as 

environmentally-friendly as first 

thought. Aid agencies say this is 

not enough, and want to see 

them removed altogether. 

Biofuel targets introduced in 

2009 to help fight climate change 

have become increasingly controversial. 

In Europe, the targets 

will be met almost exclusively 

from food crops at a time of 

record prices. Soy and corn 

prices were at all-time highs in 

July, and the prices of cereals and 

vegetable oil remained at peak 

levels in August, as per the FAO. 

The contribution of biofuel 

targets to mitigating global 

warming is also being questioned, 

as demand for crops for 

biofuels is pushing agricultural 

production into forests, peatlands 

and grasslands that had 

But the truth of real life is that 

changes do not occur overnight. It 

takes time and conservation goals 

can be attained only in the long 

run, argues Hamal. 

Priorities 

Among the different issues of 

conservation, Hamal will be focusing 

on three major agendas — protection 

of endangered species, especially 

wildlife with major focus 

on rhino, tiger and elephant; curbing 

the activities of wildlife poachers, 

and tree forestation. 

Hamal who will be involved in 

almost all the activities of WWF 

Nepal will be contributing “to meet 

the aim of doubling the tiger population 

by 2022”. 

“And whether for conservation 

of tiger or other species, it is necessary 

to de-motivate poachers,” 

states the personality who thinks 

“without curbing the activities of 

poachers, the conservation work 

becomes imbalanced”. 

Hamal who equally values the 

act of tree plantation further mentions, 

“Tree forestation is a must as 

it is one of the mediums to conserve 

environment.” 

However, such goals cannot be 

met without support of public, 

says Hamal, who advocates public 

awareness on issues of conservation. 

“If the public is aware, they 

support the work of conservationists,” 

he points out further citing, 

“Just take the case of poaching. If 

the public are aware, they inform 

authorities concerned about the 

poachers and their activities which 

help a lot to reduce wildlife crime. 

Though there are policies in the 

conservation sector, it cannot be 

achieved without support of local 

people.” 

Start from self 

Celebrities are usually seen 

preaching different things for noble 

causes amongst their fans, but 

they themselves are very far from 

practising such things. But Hamal 

is not one such celebrity: for he 

practices many things of going 

green in his personal life as well. 

“These days we hear a lot about 

global warming, know a lot of information 

and get education on 

what role we as an individual can 

play to reduce the impacts. But we 

do not practice things in real life, 

and this is the case with many people,” 

says the environment enthusiast 

who however tries to adopt a 

green lifestyle. 

“I try as much as possible not to 

harm the environment,” adds 

Hamal who does not make use of 

plastics randomly. He has also applied 

the principle of making the 

minimum use of things as much as 

possible and not wasting things. 

And this celebrity does not mind 

cycling to commute. “Kathmandu 

is too polluted and cycling also 

helps to reduce the level of pollution,” 

shares Hamal who prefers 

“cycling while travelling short 

distances”. 

Hamal who thinks that our activities 

have an impact upon the environment 

has experienced two 

groups of people in Nepal who play 

a significant role in environment 

conservation. “One group is of 

community level who through efforts 

like production of bio-gas and 

others is really working for environment 

conservation. Other is of 

the urban citizens who do not value 

the environment,” he expresses. 

The latter group as per Hamal is 

always “running here and there for 

bringing in modernisation and 

new technology”. But he urges, 

“Get time from your busy schedule 

and give some time to protect forest, 

animals and your environment. 

Make efforts that will help 

bring sustainable development.” 

been acting as carbon sinks. Key 

industry figures, including the 

CEOs of Unilever and Nestlé and 

billionaire hedge-fund manager 

Jeremy Grantham, have added 

their voices to NGO concern that 

diverting food crops to fuel for 

American and European cars 

may trigger a food crisis, following 

on from the worst US 

drought in half a century. Last 

week, French president François 

Hollande also called for a 

“pause” in the development of 

biofuels competing with food. 

The UK currently requires five 

per cent of transport energy to 

come from biofuels. Oxfam’s report, 

The Hunger Grains (pdf), 

published on September 10, estimates 

that meeting the binding 

EU targets as they are ratcheted 

up until 2020 will cost every 

adult UK consumer around £35 


The animals of the planet 

are in desperate peril. Without free 

animal life I believe we will lose 

the spiritual equivalent of oxygen 

— Alice Walker 

OTHERWISE 

Japan abandons nuclear-free future? 

LONDON: Japan has effectively 

abandoned a 

commitment to end its 

reliance on nuclear 

power by 2040 amid pressure 

from the country’s business 

lobby, dropping a deadline recommended 

by a cabinet panel 

only days ago. 

The cabinet on September 

18 gave only a vague endorsement 

of the panel’s report, released 

on September 14, and 

dropped any mention of plans 

to complete the phase-out 

some time in the 2030s. 

The trade and industry minister, 

Yukio Edano, acknowledged 

that meeting the target 

date could prove impossible. 

“Whether we can become 

nuclear free by the 2030s is not 

something to be achieved only 

with a decision by policy-makers,” 

he said. “It also depends 

RED ALERT 

on the will of electricity users, 

technological innovation and 

the environment for energy internationally 

in the next 

decade or two.” 

The U-turn came after sustained 

pressure from business 

and industry leaders, who said 

the move would harm the 

economy by forcing firms to 

shift production overseas due 

to the high price of imported 

oil and gas. 

The panel’s recommendation 

was based on a twomonth 

public consultation on 

Japan’s future energy mix, in 

which the no-nuclear option 

proved far more popular than 

two other choices that involved 

a limited role for nuclear. 

Instead, the cabinet said it 

would take the policy document 

“into consideration” and 

listen to the views of the public, 

the nuclear industry, businesses, 

and communities that depend 

on atomic facilities 

for jobs. 

The energy review was ordered 

after the triple meltdown 

at Fukushima Daiichi power 

plant in March 2011 shook 

European biofuel targets contribute to global hunger: Oxfam 

File Photo: THT 

GREEN 

GIZMO 

Solar-powered trash can 

LONDON: The City 

of Bath, England 

now plays home to 

a spectacular way 

to dispose of trash. Powered 

by solar energy, these 

26 bins installed around 

the city are an upgraded 

version of the conventional 

street bin and compress 

waste thrown inside making 

it all easier to dispose 

later. Using two volume 

sensors that trigger a com- 

Give second life to chairs 

There are a lot of good 

ideas out there for 

making cool chairs 

from recycled materials 

but what about how to 

upcycle your old 

chairs? Read on 

to know 

The Shelf: Stick 

or hang it from 

the wall and 

you’re done! 

The Swing: 

This involves a bit 

more work but 

essentially get 

some rope and a 

branch to hang it from and 

you can swing. 

The Planter: Take the seat 

bit out of your old dining 

chair and plant some greenery 

in them for an unique 

a year in higher fuel prices. 

The UK government’s own 

analysis of the impact of meeting 

the EU target suggests that removing 

the mandate could reduce 

food price spikes by up to 

pactor when the waste 

reaches a particular level 

inside, this solar-powered 

trash can also makes 

waste-collection less-frequent 

and more meticulous. 

Priced at a £1,000 

each, these solar powered 

bins are expected to help 

the Bath and North East 

Somerset Council save 

nearly £30,000 a year and 

will soon be made 

cost-neutral. — Agencies 

garden look. 

The Hanger : Saw the tops 

off your old chairs, screw in a 

hook and volia — you’re the 

coolest hipster on the block. 

The Ladder 

Back: Instead of 

using the seat of 

your chair as a 

bench, use the 

back, turned upside 

down for a 

useful towel rack 

with space for a 

few bits and 

bobs. Perfect in 

the bathroom or 

the kitchen (think teatowels 

and herbs). 

The next time you see an 

old chair and aren’t too impressed, 

you’ll see all its 

amazing potential! — Agencies 

public confidence in the safety 

of nuclear power plants. 

The deputy prime minister, 

Katsuya Okada, said ditching 

the deadline did not mean the 

government had abandoned 

its goal of a nuclear-free future. 

“We aim to have zero nuclear 

power by the 2030s, but we 

have never said we will achieve 

zero by that date,” he told a 

group of European journalists. 

But he conceded that a nuclear 

phase-out was “the wish of a 

large number of Japanese 

people”. 

Data released last month 

showed 90 per cent of comments 

solicited from the public 

during the consultation 

favoured the abolition of nuclear 

power, while only four per 

cent wanted it to remain part of 

the country’s future energy 

mix. — The Guardian 

35 per cent. 

Oxfam’s chief executive Barbara 

Stocking said, “The EU 

must recognise the devastating 

impact its biofuel policies are 

having on the poorest people 

through surging food prices, 

worsening hunger and contributing 

to climate change.” 

Demand for biofuels in Europe 

is also putting pressure on 

land and water resources globally. 

The International Land Coalition 

has estimated that around 

two-thirds of all large-scale land 

deals around the world in the 

past 10 years have been acquisitions 

made to grow biofuel crops 

(pdf) including soya, sugar, palm 

oil and jatropha. Many of these 

deals have displaced local communities 

with claims on the land 

or have involved laying claim to 

water rights. — The Guardian


VARIETY 

YOUR LUCK 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: This year you focus on your domestic and personal 

life, though all aspects are important. Excitement comes in 

from a close friend or loved one who is a walking jack-in-the-box; 

you never know what will happen next. Hopefully, you can deal with 

a little stress. Others would like you to be more active, and they will 

not hesitate to let you know. If you are single, you will gain a sidekick. 

Whether you let more than that develop is your call. If you are 

attached, the two of you need to loosen up more and enjoy the moment. 

SAGITTARIUS loves to romp with you. 

A baby born today has a Sun in Virgo and a Moon in Sagittarius all day. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Let your imagination lead 

the way. Be ready to take off at the drop of a hat. Others 

tap into your ideas and use you as a resource. You 

might want to break free, and perhaps you’ll do just 

that. Maintain a high level of detachment, or you could feel drained. 

Tonight: Go for something unique. ✹✹✹✹✹ 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You deal with others directly, 

particularly a key person in your life. You could 

enhance a financial option through a discussion. A 

family member lets you know how much you mean to 

him or her. If there has been a rocky element in your domestic life, 

attempt to fix it. Tonight: Make it cozy. ✹✹✹ 

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Realise where you are 

heading and defer to someone else. You understand 

that not everything is one way or the other. This realisation 

helps you to loosen up your relationships with 

some potentially difficult people. Tonight: Play away. ✹✹✹✹✹ 

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are one of the few 

people whose focus is less on getting into the weekend 

and more on completing errands and/or a project. 

For those of you who are working Moon Children, you 

will want to clear out your desk. Think about being totally free this 

weekend. Tonight: Only what you want. ✹✹✹✹ 

LEO (July 23-Aug 22): Allow more creativity to come 

forward. Through a meeting, you’ll see many possibilities. 

Opportunities arise from this group of peers, especially 

through one person who is unusually upbeat. 

You emanate compassion and concern. How can anyone resist you? 

Tonight: Start the weekend right. ✹✹✹✹✹ 

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22): Centre yourself, and you 

will open the door to many more opportunities. Someone 

in your personal life — or someone who wants to 

become a part of it — shares some deeper feelings. A 

friend you look up to also gives you positive feedback. Tonight: Head 

home early. ✹✹✹✹ 

LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22): How you say what you think 

has much to do with the manner in which the words 

are received. You, more than most other signs, understand 

the art of diplomacy and the need to use it in a 

difficult situation. Touch base with a dear friend or loved one. 

Tonight: To your favourite haunt. ✹✹✹✹✹ 

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): You might want to reconsider 

an option that could encourage less stress. In order 

for that to happen, you’ll need to trust a partner or 

close friend.A boss likes what he or she sees.You likely 

will see the benefits soon enough. Tonight: Allow someone to 

treat you. ✹✹✹✹ 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): You are nearly unstoppable. 

A few associates also could have a similar 

amount of energy pushing them forward. Others seem 

ready to jump in and make what you need happen.You 

might be toying with the idea of taking a mini-vacation soon. 

Tonight: Whatever you want. ✹✹✹✹✹ 

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Something is going 

on behind the scenes. Rather than snoop around, 

as others might expect you to do, just go about 

your business as usual. You will reverse the trend 

and make others wonder what is going on. A friend or loved 

one gives you a gift. Tonight: Not everyone needs to know what 

you’re thinking. ✹✹✹ 

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): Meetings charge you 

with enough energy to complete a project, but a call 

from a friend also encourages you to take a bold step. 

You are the sign of friendship, and you’re only too 

pleased to go along with this person’s suggestion. Tonight: Where 

people can be found. ✹✹✹✹✹ 

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): You might want to take 

that extra step toward helping a special person in your 

life. This person will be very grateful, even if he or she 

does not express the gratitude you might like. Remember, 

everyone has a different style. Tonight: You are the lead 

actor. ✹✹✹✹ 

Born today: Actor Bill Murray (1950), author Stephen King (1947), 

country singer Faith Hill (1967) 

By Jacqueline Bigar 

Note: Bigar’s Stars is based on the degree of your sun at birth.The sign 

name is simply a label astrologers put on a set of degrees for convenience. 

For best results, readers should refer to the dates following each sign. 

Jolie chooses elder brother 

as maid of honour 

MELBOURNE: Angelina Jolie has reportedly 

asked her brother James Haven to help her in 

the wedding plans in a traditionally female 

role of bridesmaid. 

The 37-year-old actress 

who got engaged to actor 

Brad Pitt in April, following 

a seven years relationship, 

is all set to tie the knot later 

this year. 

The mother-of-six, who 

is famous for preferring the 

company of males over females, 

chose her elder 

brother as maid of honour, 

as she shares a particularly 

close relationship with 

him. 

“James was thrilled to 

accept his little sister’s offer,” the Herald Sun quoted a 

source as telling the British magazine Heat. 

“Angie has always related to men better than 

women,” the source added. — Agencies 

• THE MOVEABLE FEAST 

New Cuisines, 

Old Founders 

Dubby Bhagat 

Kathmandu 

It is said two critics 

who first used the 

term nouvelle cuisine 

Henri Gault and 

Christian Millau 

claimed that they were influenced 

by the Japanese 

style of food presentation, 

and by Paul Bocuse who 

along with them made the 

movement famous. It was a 

method of preparing food 

in a simpler, less rich, and 

more natural way with detailed 

attention given to 

texture and detail. Fresh 

produce in very small 

quantities was prepared by 

grilling or steaming in reduced 

stocks. The resulting 

ultra-thin slices of meat or 

fish were artistically 

Shakira 

expecting 

first child 

LONDON: Shakira 

has revealed 

she’s pregnant 

with her first child. 

The sexy singer and 

her beau, Spanish 

soccer star Gerard 

Pique, are expecting a 

baby together and the 

star has decided to 

cut down on her work 

schedule over the 

coming weeks. 

“As some of you 

may know Gerard and 

I are very happy 

awaiting the arrival of 

our first baby! At this 

time we have decided 

to give priority to this 

unique moment in 

our lives and postpone 

all the promotional 

activities 

planned over the next 

few days,” Shakira 

wrote on her website. 

“I will not be able to 

be a part of the 

iHeartRadio Music 

Festival, but I’m sure 

this weekend in Las 

Vegas will be spectacular 

and I will be following 

everything 

that happens there! 

“I’d like to thank 

Clear Channel and 

my fans for their constant 

love and 

understanding. 

“Big kiss! And will 

see you very soon! 

Shakira.” — Agencies 

arranged on large plates 

with a colourful selection of 

crisp, only just-cooked vegetables 

in light fruit-based 

sauces. 

One result of the nouvelle 

cuisine movements 

was the recognition of the 

chef as a creative artist. 

However, the dishes they 

designed often looked better 

than they tasted. 

Colourful and attractive to 

look at, plate presentation 

ruled but the best restaurants 

were charging a small 

fortune for tiny pieces of 

these exquisitely prepared 

delicacies. 

Paul Bocuse, the French 

chef and chief proponent of 

nouvelle cuisine, was born 

just outside Lyon, into a lineage 

of chefs dating back to 

the 17th century. He began 

SUDOKU-1398 

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION 

HOW TO SOLVE: Every number from 1 to 15 must appear in each of 

the 15 vertical columns, in each of the 15 horizontal rows and in 

each of the 15 boxes 

THT-DOKU-1208 

Lennon is ultimate rock icon 

SIDNEY: Former 

Beatles singer 

John Lennon 

has been named 

rock’s ultimate icon 

by British music 

magazine NME. 

Lennon topped a 

survey of more than 

160,000 readers, 

beating former Oasis 

frontman Liam Gallagher 

into second place, the Sydney 

his apprenticeship in the 

middle of the Second World 

War, with an interruption in 

1944, when he enlisted in 

the army. He was shot while 

in Alsace, but not so badly 

injured that he couldn’t celebrate 

the war’s end in Paris 

a year later. Bocuse then 

began to cook in earnest 

and finished his apprenticeship 

at La Pyramide in 

Vienne under Feranand 

Point, his culinary master 

and a mentor to a generation 

of acclaimed chefs. In 

1959, with a solid culinary 

education and some life experience 

under his belt, Bocuse 

returned to the family 

home and took over his father’s 

suburban café. He 

transformed it into 

L’Auberge de Collonges-au- 

Mont-d’Or, and in recogni- 

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION 

HOW TO SOLVE THT-DOKU: Place numbers into the puzzle cells in such a way that each row and 

column contains each of the digits from 1 up to 7. Like a Sudoku puzzle, no number is 

repeated in any row or column. Each bold-outlined group of cells contains a hint consisting of a 

number and one of the mathematical symbols — + x - /. The number is the result of applying the 

mathematical operation represented by the symbol to the digits contained within the domain. 

Morning Herald 

reported. 

David Bowie is 

third in the poll. The 

top five consisted of 

Arctic Monkeys star 

Alex Turner and late 

Nirvana icon Kurt 

Cobain. 

The late Amy 

Winehouse also 

made the list at number 

six. — Agencies 

tion of his talent and skill, 

Michelin awarded him a 

star in 1961, a second star a 

year later and his third in 

1965. Bocuse has maintained 

his three-star status 

for more than 40 years. 

During the 1970s, Bocuse 

became associated with 

what came to be called 

nouvelle cuisine, a term 

coined by Le Nouveau 

Guide, a food and wine 

magazine whose sensibility 

was inspired by a new wave 

of culture sweeping France. 

The magazine cited Bocuse 

and 48 other chefs of the 

day, as creators of a new 

style of noteworthy cooking, 

using lighter ingredients 

and techniques, which 

revealed more of the food’s 

true flavour. French President 

Valery Giscard d’Estaing 

awarded Bocuse the 

Legion of Honour in 1975. A 

year later, Bocuse published 

La Cuisine du 

marche (Market Cuisine), 

his best-known book. 

For the next 10 years, Bocuse 

enjoyed both critical 

and commercial success. 

He bought a vineyard and 

created a line of food products, 

wines and spirits, 

which became very popular 

in Japan. He recorded 70 

cooking programmes for 

German television and established 

a school of culinary 

arts and hotel and 

restaurant management. In 

1987, he launched the Bocuse 

d’Or, an international 

chef’s competition which 

established a world standard 

of accomplishment in 

culinary skill and 

technique. 

During his late 60s and 

into his early 70s, Bocuse 

opened four new restaurants 

in Lyon and travelled 

the world as an ambassador 

for the brand of 

Cuisinart kitchen appliances. 

He liked to boast 

that his family had lived in 

the same village since 1765, 

emphasising the importance 

of tradition in his life 

and work. A serious motorcycle 

enthusiast, as recently 

as 2003, when he was 77, 

Bocuse claimed that he 

never missed the annual 

Bike Week in Daytona, 

Florida. 

Bocuse’s son runs a 

French restaurant at Walt 

Disney World Florida! 


Nepal 

Literature 

Festival 

begins 

KATHMANDU: The second 

edition of Ncell Nepal Literature 

Festival 2012 began at the Nepal 

Academy Hall, Kamaladi on 

September 20. The festival organised 

by Book Worm Trust 

and sponsored by Ncell has 

many things happening inside 

where you can meet and talk to 

the authors as well be a part of 

the interactive sessions on various 

topics. 

Five eminent writers of Nepal 

— Bairagi Kainla, Dhruba Chandra 

Gautam, Geeta Keshari, Hiranya 

Kumari Pathak and Durga 

Lal Shrestha inaugurated the 

programme by lighting the 

panas accompanied by music 

from the folk classical band 

Sukarma. 

The crowd that came to witness 

the festival gave standing 

ovation while they lit the light. 

On the first day of the festival, 

there were discussions on topics 

like ‘1990 Pachhiko Badalindo 

Nepali Samaj’, ‘Sur,Tal, Shabda’ 

and more. 

One can buy books of fiction 

at the book exhibition and be a 

part of book launches, where on 

the first day Sakas by Jagdish 

Ghimire was launched. 

The four-day-long festival will 

bring together over 100 national 

and international writers on the 

same platform. The festival will 

continue till September 23. —HNS 

Published by: International Media Network Nepal (Pvt) Ltd, APCA House, Baidya Khana Road, Anamnagar, Kathmandu, Nepal, PO Box 11651 Phone: 4771489, Fax: 977-1-4770701 / 4771959, E-mail: editorial@thehimalayantimes.com Regd No 143/051/052 Postal Regd. 069-070 Printed at: Sama Printers (Pvt) Ltd, Sainbu VDC, Lalitpur. Editor: Ajaya Bhadra Khanal 

THT

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES 

SPECIAL TGIFA THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY 

I 

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 

FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT 


JACK OF ALL, 

MASTER OF SOME 

YESTERYEAR 

DIVA IN TOWN 

PGIII 

FOR THE LOVE OF 

COFFEE PGII 

KRITIKA THAPA GETS 

CANDID WITH TGIF PG IV 

THERE ARE SOME WHO BELIEVE IN STICKING TO ONE THING, ONE PASSION, ONE PROFESSION FOR LIFE; BUT THIS 

LIFE AND THIS WORLD HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER, WOULDN’T IT BE UNFAIR NOT TO EXPLORE THEM ALL? THESE FOLKS 

HERE BELIEVE IN THE LATTER. SUPRIYA PRADHAN SHARES THEIR STORY. 

Prerana Shah 

Occupation: Yoga instructor, founder 

DREAMS (Devoted Radical 

Environment Animal Movement Society), 

businesswoman, model 

’ve been running my family business of 

furniture showroom since 2001, instruct- 

ing yoga classes in 2006, started 

modelling in 2003 and co-founded DREAMS 

in 2010. People are usually surprised to find 

that I’m a yoga instructor but they’re mostly 

inspired by the things I have on my plate. 

They realise that one can do anything if 

s/he is determined and focused. I say, if 

you’re willing, you can manage anything. 

It’s not definite as to which work is more 

demanding, sometimes it’s one and 

sometimes it’s the other but I do try to 

give equal time and effort to all my jobs. 

However, it simply won’t be possible for 

me to choose just one of them. I need 

yoga for the relaxation of my body, mind 

and soul. My love for animals is unconditional 

and I have to earn a living from 

my business.Apart from all these, I also 

love singing. I have released an album 

and that was something I really wanted 

to do as everyone in my family is 

very musical. I may not 

be as good, but I 

try. 

Suzita Gurung 

Occupation: RJ, zumba/aerobics 

instructor,Teacher 

y RJing journey began in 2007 and 

I’ve been involved in aerobics and Mzumba 

in Nepal for about 2 years.As 

for teaching, I started as an intern and have 

been a qualified teacher since 2010 for A 

level students. Radio has been something 

I’d always wanted to do and joined it after 

coming here from Singapore. I’d have to 

say the classes I teach are more demanding 

because it’s not just about the time but 

I have to do homework of my own; prepare 

notes, mark papers, and set papers 

etc. Managing them all can be quite a 

difficult task. Some weeks are more 

tiring than others.A couple of sacrifices 

have to be made like family gatherings 

and of course, sleep! And I wouldn’t 

want to give up on any one.At least for 

now, when I am able to handle them. I 

reach out to different people from 

various walks of life in these jobs. I 

personally think it’s important to 

love what you are doing or 

you will burn out. 

Chirag Bangdel 

Occupation: Artist, RJ, writer 

rowing up in a beautiful little town of 

Mirik and having a father as a writer Gand 

poet inspired me towards the art of 

painting and writing. Interest was there 

already but classes from my granduncle, the 

celebrated artist Lain Singh Bangdel helped 

better myself. I’ve been an RJ for over a 

decade now and I’m amazed by how time 

flies! I think I manage all these in the same 

way someone manages to go to work, find 

time to watch the television and read the 

newspaper.They may be my work yet they 

are the same things I do for fun. I paint or 

write all day and go to the radio station in 

the evening, play my favourite songs and 

talk to my audience. Every time I meet 

someone new and s/he asks me what I 

do, it’s a rather funny situation trying to 

explain what I ‘really’ do. I generally say 

I’m an artist but so far people have said 

it’s good to be versatile. I think life is too 

beautiful to just stick to one thing. I 

love all the things that I do. 

Pallavi Dhakal 

Occupation: Communication 

officer (WWF), social worker, 

occasional model 

W 

hen I finished my high school, I started 

working as a VJ, a programme 

producer and an RJ because they 

were my passion and later on, I studied social 

work. It involved contributing to different 

non-profit organisations, and meeting new 

people. Both social work and entertainment 

field can be demanding as they require 

travelling and collecting stories. Besides 

that, unlike the glamour scene, it doesn’t 

have the pressure of looking good all the 

time. Managing time is quite difficult for 

me now. My 9-5 job requires me follow 

the rules strictly. However, during weekends, 

I’m free to do anything which may 

include judging beauty pageants or 

fashion show auditions.There were days 

when I used to emcee too, but I’ve 

earned a lot of money out if it and now 

want to give the new generation a 

chance at it.There are different levels of 

appreciation in the work I do but in the 

end, it’s from the social work 

that I feel very satisfied. 

PAGE I

PAGE II 

chic 

NICHE 

Samriddhi Rai 

Kathmandu 

No nfuss 

than 

lunc 

h , 

relaxed than dinnercatching 

up on 

conversations over 

coffee, has stood the 

test of time to become 

one of the popular 

ways of human interaction. 

Cashing in on 

the trend in Kathmandu 

now, is the 

freshly launched 

Barista Lavazza in 

Uttar Dhoka. 

“I spent most of 

my student life in 

India and hanging out 

at Barista Lavazza café’s there has 

some kind of a “cool” factor 

attached to it,” smiles Rabindra B. 

Shrestha, franchise holder and the 

director for Barista Lavazza in 

Kathmandu. “Be it the finely crafted 

beverages, the inviting decorum 

or the soaring café culture- 

Barista Lavazza strongly resonates 

with the youth vibe and we are 

quite certain that it shall grapple in 

Nepali youngsters soon enough 

show 

TIME 

Heroine 

Genre: Drama 

Star cast: Kareena Kapoor, Arjun 

Rampal 

Release date: 21 September 

Screening at: QFX cinemas, Big 

cinemas 

Directed and co-written by Madhur 

Bandarkar, who is famed to make 

real-life based movies is back in the 

game with his latest offering- 

Heroine. The story revolves around 

the life of a once successful 

bollywood actress, Mahi Arora and 

her rise and downfall in the industry. 

Kareena Kapoor had initially opted 

out of the movie fearing criticisms 

her character might evoke as well as 

the intimate sequences with several 

of her co-stars. 

what’s 

UP 

COOKIE 

CRUNCH- RS235 

Salsa party along with 45 minutes 

of free workshop on Dominican 

Bachata Date: September 22, Time: 

6pm onwards, Cover charge: 

Rs200, Venue: Red Carpet Restro, 

Durbarmarg 

Ultimate paintball tournament 

2012 Date: September 21-23, 

Time: 12 noon onwards, Venue: 

Battlefield, Sanepa, Contact: 

9813236118 

Classic Diamond fashion show 

Date: September21-22, Time:7pm 

onwards, Venue: Hotel Yak and Yeti, 

Invitees only 

WICKED BROWNIE- RS125 

too.” 

And with the suave interiors and 

friendly brew masters standing 

behind the counter, I don’t see why 

he could be wrong in thinking so. 

For the young crowd who loves to 

see and to be seen in the hippest of 

hangouts, Barista Lavazza just 

gave them another option. And if 

you’re thinking “oh it’s an international 

cafe chain, gotta be expensive”, 

let me stop you right there. 

While, Barista sure could be 

expensive than well... coffee 

served at college canteens or 

small-scale eateries, the prices 

seem at par with most cafes in the 

city. All Barista Lavazza beverages 

are valued under Rs250 and the 

coffee selections being offered 

changes with season. “We have the 

summer special going on right 

now. Come November and we will 

be introducing our winter menu 

with obvious inclusion of warmer 

beverages and cutting down of the 

chilled drinks,” informs Shrestha. 

And it’s not just the fine Italian 

product of Lavazza that one gets to 

enjoy at Barista Lavazza, they also 

serve a host of munchies to enjoy 

along with it. From sandwiches, 

calzones, muffins, patties and pastries, 

there are several choices 

from which one may select a coffee-buddy 

to their liking. The best 

Delhi 

More and more people are jumping 

on cheap flights to India these days 

and discovering that Delhi is a great 

place to shop. There is a superb 

selection of markets such as the 

classy Khan Market or the chaotic 

Mains Bazaar of Paharganj, where 

shoppers can buy all manner of 

goods from clothes to cosmetics, 

stones to silks. 

Singapore 

The tiny city-state/island of 

Singapore is located not far from the 

tip of the Malay Peninsula. A neat, 

tidy and orderly city, it is also a shopping 

paradise! Start your day with a 

trip to the famous retail strip along 

Orchard Road where you’ll get your 

fix of the major fashion houses like 

Louis Vuitton, Chanel and French 

Connection. 

COTTAGE CHEESE SANDWICH IN 

BROWN GARLIC BREAD- RS160 

thing about it is perhaps the fact 

that these items are served fresh 

every day, straight out from 

Barista’s Lavazza’s very own bakery 

at Sanepa. “Even the bread used 

for the sandwiches is all hot out of 

the oven from our own bakery,” 

says Shrestha. 

Located in the ground floor of a 

fairly new building named Metro 

Park, the only drawback (for now) 

for Barista Lavazza probably is the 

wide empty space that surrounds 

it. So, for people who love to 

observe other people, there may 

not be much to look about. Although, 

for those who feel that the 

location is a little far-out from their 

preferred locale, fret not as the 

chain aspires to open up several 

cafes at various points in the city in 

the next few years; next stop, they 

inform is in Jawalakhel. 

8 brew masters trained 

in Barista Lavazza in India currently 

take care of the Uttar 

Dhoka branch. The interior of the 

place has been done by a 

professional team from Barista 

Lavazza India, which took over a 

period of four months to complete. 

“Those who studied in 

India know what it’s like to be in a 

Barista cafe. Only hoping for the 

customer’s flow to pick up from 

here,” shares Shrestha. 

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES | A SPECIAL FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT 

www.thehimalayantimes.com| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 

FOR THE 

coffee 

LOVE OF 

BARISTA LAVAZZA LAUNCHES 

IN KATHMANDU WITH HOPES 

TO BE A “GRAND” NEW 

ADDITION TO THE 

EVER-GROWING COFFEE 

CULTURE IN THE CITY. 

Trivia 

• The word barista is of Italian origin, 

and in Italian, a barista is a male or 

female “bartender” who typically 

works behind a counter, serving both 

hot drinks (such as espresso), and cold 

alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 

not a coffee-maker specifically. 

• The first Barista came to operation in 

New Delhi in the year 2000; it was taken 

over by Lavazza in 2007. Today the 

count stands at over 200 Barista Lavazza 

Bars in over 30 cities across India 

(source: barista.co.in). Lavazza is an 

Italian manufacturer of coffee products, 

founded in Turin in 1895 by Luigi 

Lavazza. 

TEMPTING SHOPPING 

destinations 

Only a few wouldn’t rejoice in the idea of 

shopping until you drop. If you’re bored of 

KTM stores bringing in the same kind of 

clothes for everybody, you might want to 

consider heading out to these 

destinations for a shopping spree of a 

lifetime. 

travel 

BUG 

New York 

If you’re looking for the latest, hottest fashions, cosmetics 

and housewares, then it’s got to be the ritzy department 

stores such as Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s 

or Saks Fifth Avenue. If it’s bargains you’re after, try 

Century 21, a heavily discounted department store, or 

Gabay’s Outlet, which offers overstock from some of the 

big name stores at rock bottom rates. 

Fact File 

What: Barista Lavazza 

Where: Uttar Dhoka, Lazimpat, Metro Park building 

beside Nepal Investment Bank 

Offerings: Lavazza beverages, ideal place to grab 

a quick bite, free wi-fi, outdoor and indoor seating 

area, spacious parking 

Opening time: 8am-9pm everyday 

Price range: Coffee selections at Rs75-Rs250 

Contact: 4005123, 4005124 

Hong Kong 

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s 

finest shopping zones; 

glitzy high-rise shopping 

malls selling the latest 

fashions sit just a few blocks 

from back street markets 

where locals browse stalls 

selling live crabs, fish and 

chickens. Shopping is 

almost a way of life in Hong 

Kong, and it’s all about 

luxury, convenience and 

exclusive merchandise, 

according to Tobe Report 

editor Amy Lan. 

London 

TGIF 

Photos: THT 

The UK’s capital is legendary for its shopping 

opportunities. Oxford Street is the heart of London shopping 

and offers more than 300 outlets, including designer 

boutiques and landmark stores. If you’re looking for midpriced 

fashion, then head to Regent Street and Jermyn 

Street, which are also home to some of London’s oldest 

and most famous shops like Liberty and Hamleys.

TGIF 

Pout and about! 

There is beauty in the world... 

There isn’t a face that smiles, that isn’t beautiful 


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 | www.thehimalayantimes.com 

Index Furniture 

launch 

@ 

Steel Tower 

“Girls,” god said,“shall never tire of taking photos” 

Fashion Gala 

@ 

Trisara 

Yes! We’re happy and we know it, and we know how to show it! 

KTM is the paradise city, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty 

Designer Nuzhat Qazi steals the show with her collection 

The proud owners: Binod and Kamal Tuladhar 

Thai DJ Por P One enthralls party peeps 

PAGE THREE 

Yesteryear 

diva in town 

OLA! MY LOVELIES! 

Ho p e 

you’re 

enjoying 

the 

l a s t 

ruins of 

monsoon there is 

left. Is it not weird 

that the whole of 

monsoon went by 

with only a few 

showers of rain 

here and there 

and when 

we’re getting 

ready to 

Re-launch of Club 

Platinum 

@ 

Hotel Yak & Yeti 

usher in the calm, composed 

yet windy 

Dashain weather, here 

is Mother Nature showering 

us with incessant 

downpour? Ahhh the 

power of nature, we 

have no choice but to 

bow down to it, eh! 

Anyway, big news for 

all K-towners this week 

(perhaps a more 

mature generation 

might get excited than 

the young ones about 

this) - yesteryear bollywood 

bombshell struts 

into town this week. 

Report has it that 

Zeenat Aman- one hot 

chica of her time will be 

walking down the runway 

for a hyped 

jewellery fashion show. 

A bunch of super hot 

super models will also 

be flying in from our 

neighbouring country 

to walk for the same 

show tells me my 

messenger from the 

grape vine. 

My oh my. Is the month of September 

the official month of glam-sham 

fashion shows or what? Two more big 

fashion shows are lined up for Kathmandu 

folks, I hear, before we all 

shut down and get back to 

Cheers! 

KATHMANDU 

HIGH 

BY BLOODY MARY 

our festive Dashain groove. 

Talking about Zeenat 

Aman, man was she one 

gorgeous bollywood actress 

of the 70’s-80’s? And she did 

come to Nepal before, to 

shoot one of her biggest hits 

“Hare Rama Hare Krishna”- a 

movie revolving around the 

lives of hippies of that time. 

This time around though, she 

will surely not be beaming up 

pots but here is hoping she 

does set ablaze the ramp she 

walks in. Will definitely be reporting 

about it all in my upcoming 

columns, so you stay 

tuned in to Bloody Mary, arite? 

I guess, that’s it for the week. 

Until I come back again, you go 

party hard this Friday evening 

and party harder later and 

all through the night. 

Wish you all a 

bombastic 

weekend. 

Bryan Adams? I think I resemble Bruce Lee now, I really do! 

Man! that girl sure is pretty 

Former Crown Princess Himani enjoying a candid moment I will follow you until you love me, papa... paparazzi! 

Give light and people will find the way 

Sabin Rai Live 

@ 

Civil Mall 

E24 celebrations 

@ 

Hotel Malla 

Miss Nepals awaiting 

Kathmandu High is a column focusing on parties and chic happenings in Kathmandu and elsewhere. 

Readers can mail photographs of the parties/events with captions to 

bloodymary@thehimalayantimes.com 

PAGE III

PAGE IV 

How was your 

experience working 

for TGIF Nepal Fashion 

Week? 

I walked for the show for 

three years in a row and 

had the most fun, last year. 

We were taken to Jomsom 

for the ad campaign. The 

theme for the photo shoot 

was that all the models had to 

depict different human emotions. 

I was given something else 

but I chose ‘pain’, because it was 

something new. The entire 

experience was a memorable one. 

A job you’d trade modelling/banking 

for? 

My ultimate aim in life is to become a diplomat 

and I really want to associate myself with an 

INGO. I’m sure I’m going to end up there someday. 

Tell us if Kritika has a side we don’t know about. 

(smiles) I’m actually a very quiet and a homely person. 

I love to stay home, be with my parents and cook for 

them. 

Modelling in Nepal: not a bed of roses. Do you agree? 

Yes, definitely. It may have improved, no doubt but many 

people still say modelling isn’t good enough a job for 

anyone. Let’s hope the monetary aspect in modelling 

gets better with time. 

What has been the most challenging part in your 

modelling career so far? 

Last year’s photo shoot for TGIF fashion week was 

memorable and also a challenging one at that. We 

had to wake up at around 4am, prepare ourselves 

for the shoot, and not to forget withstand the harsh 

weather of Jomsom. Even during the fashion 

shows, we had to up our standards as we were 

sharing the runway with international models and 

we couldn’t be overshadowed by them. 

In Nepal’s context, is it possible for female 

models to continue their work in this field after 

getting married? 

Yes, surely. Nepali society can be a bit conservative 

towards a job as outgoing as this but in the end, it 

depends on the family she gets married into. If they 

support her, then why not? 

What do you see yourself doing in five years time? 

Either working at an INGO or as a successful banker. 

One thing you want to try before you die. 

Sky diving- that’s one thing in my bucket list that I’d like 

to see fulfilled. 

How active are you on social networking sites? 

Frankly speaking, I’m not so active because I’m mostly 

occupied at my job and there is modelling too. So 

it’s a rare thing for me. However, I’m ready to go 

online whenever my friends want to catch up with 

me. 

What’s the nicest compliment you’ve received so 

far? 

“You look like your mum” I actually share my features 

with my dad and only a few people say that I resemble 

my mother. So, that makes me really happy (smiles). 

The person who inspires you the most. 

It’s always been my mum. She’s been there in every step 

of the way, being very supportive, be it my education or 

work. 

Do you like cooking? Is there a dish you cook the best? 

Yes, a lot. I actually only eat fish but don’t really know how to 

cook it (laughs). Surprisingly, I prepare other meat-based 

dishes even though I don’t eat them. 

Have you ever thought about acting? If you were offered a movie 

role, would you accept it? 

Yes, acting interests me. Recently I did a music video which was quite 

different than the usual stuff we see and I enjoyed it. And if I do get 

offered a role in a good project, then it’ll be a definite yes. 

Do you still believe men should pay on the first date? 

I don’t know about men but I think ladies should certainly pay on the first 

date because we’re thought to be very dependent which is obviously not 

true. 

Your dream date. 

Either US President Barrack Obama or Amir Khan. 

If you were to go out on a date with any of the Nepali personalities, who 

would he be? 

Saugat Malla. I loved his work since his acting days at Gurukul. Honestly, 

I was so impressed that if I had a chance to meet him back then, I 

would’ve gone to take his autograph. So I wouldn’t mind dating him now 

(laughs). 

fashion 

QS 

What is the recent 

fashion addition you 

splurged on? 

A DKNY watch. I have a 

huge collection of watches 

and I love them all. 

Do you think people 

need to dress according 

to their age? 

When it comes to dressing 

up, I don’t think age really 

matters. Fashion is not 

limited to a certain age. 

One can wear whatever 

s/he feels comfortable in 

or can even experiment. I 

actually admire people 

who dare to stand out in 

the crowd. For instance, 

Hot makeover ideas to steal 

Alittle twisted, a bit eccentric, 

and slightly 

punk-rock —here are 

the top five makeup looks 

that rocked the New York 

Fashion Week (spring-summer 

2013). 

Wine-stained lips: The 

wine-stained lips by makeup 

artist Diane Kendal is a 

cool take on the classic look. 

To create the effect, colour 

in the lips with red lip liner, 

and use a 

p l u m - 

coloured 

pencil just 

around 

the outline 

of the 

mouth. 

Then layer 

a pink lipstick 

on 

top of that, followed by a 

lipmix-in-process (Magenta) 

just in the centre of the 

lips. Finally, a dusting of orange 

pigment on top will set 

the entire look. 

Blood-drip nails: Manicurist 

Tracy Lee used a very 

fine, long striping brush to 

paint lines down a bare nail. 

It was meant to look like 

drops of blood and the final 

effect was positively 

thrilling 

for any 

one that 

can call 

themselves 

a 

nail art 

fanatic. 

Edie Sedgwick-inspired 

makeup: Makeup artist 

François Nars’s updated 

version of Edie Sedgwick’s 

iconic beauty look is the definition 

of how girls want to 

look today. He took the 

heavy foundation and false 

lash strips out of the equation, 

and added diffused 

black shadow and bold, 

perfectly shaped brows. 

Punkrock 

eyes: 

This type 

of makeup 

would 

probably 

be reco 

m - 

FASHION FIVE 

mended only for a runway, 

but makeup artist Pat Mc- 

Grath’s candy-coloured 

shadow and graphic black 

liner was sick- in the best of 

ways. 

Floating 

liner: 

There 

was no 

bronzer 

b a c k - 

stage at 

Michael 

Kors’ sequence 

this time. The models’ 

faces had only a bold stripe 

of blue or green liner 

stretched across their 

brow bones. Makeup artist 

Dick Page called it “floating 

eyeliner.” — allure.com 

an elderly bald man riding 

an Enfield motorbike in 

shorts (smiles). 

Which int’l fashion show 

would you like to walk 

the runway of? 

Paris Fashion Week... 

That’s a dream of every 

model I guess (laughs). 

What’s on your style 

wishlist? 

A Rado watch. Yes, one 

more! 

Your favourite Nepali 

designer 

Tenzin Tseten Bhutia and 

Nilima Maden. 


www.thehimalayantimes.com| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 

Kritika Thapa is smart, witty, funny and is a woman of 

dynamism. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, the 

charismatic chica has walked the runway for several 

fashion shows and is currently working as a banker. 

Today, TGIF gets to know her better. 

TGIF 

PHOTOS: Uma Bista / THT 

LOCATION: Index Furniture, Metro Park, Lazimpat 

Uttar Dhoka, Contact: 4415181 

Index Furniture is the largest furniture showroom 

in Nepal and with its vast range of high quality 

products and unique designs, from bedroom sets, 

modular kitchens, office furniture to entertainment 

centres, one will be left spoilt for choice. It recently 

opened its branch at Steel Tower, Jawalakhel. 

BEHIND 

HER STOIC 

EXTERIOR... 

Published by: International Media Network Nepal (Pvt) Ltd, APCA House, Baidya Khana Road, Anamnagar, Kathmandu, Nepal, PO Box 11651 Phone: 4771489, Fax: 977-1-4770701 / 4771959, E-mail: editorial@thehimalayantimes.com Regd No 143/051/052 Postal Regd. 069-070 Printed at: Sama Printers (Pvt) Ltd, Sainbu VDC, Lalitpur. Editor: Ajaya Bhadra Khanal 

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